Brassica plant comprising mutant fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase alleles

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to crop plants comprising novel seed lipid compositions. Provided are both wild type and mutant nucleic acid molecules encoding  Brassica  fatty acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) thioesterase B proteins (FATB) and the proteins as such. Also provided are  Brassica  plants, tissue and seeds comprising at least three mutant fatB alleles in their genome, whereby the seed oil fatty acid composition or profile is significantly altered.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the U.S. National Stage filing of International Application No. PCT/EP2008/005551, filed Jul. 7, 2008, which claims priority to EP 07075568.1, filed Jul. 9, 2007 and U.S. Patent Application No. 60/958,945, filed Jul. 10, 2007, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of agricultural products, especially crop plants comprising novel seed lipid compositions. Provided are both wild type and mutant nucleic acid molecules encoding Brassica fatty acyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) thioesterase B proteins (FATB) and the proteins as such. Also provided are Brassica plants, tissue and seeds comprising at least three mutant fatB alleles (of at least three different FATB protein-encoding Brassica genes) in their genome, whereby the seed oil fatty acid composition or profile is significantly altered. In addition, methods for generating Brassica plants which produce seeds comprising seed oil having reduced levels of saturated fatty acids are provided herein, as is seed oil obtainable from such seeds. Such seed oil requires no further mixing or modification and may be labeled as “low in saturates” or as containing “no saturates” according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Further provided are detection tools (kits) and methods for detecting the presence of one or more mutant fatB and/or wild type FATB alleles in Brassica plants, tissue(s) or seeds, as well as methods for transferring one or more mutant fatB and/or wild type FATB alleles to other Brassica plants and methods for combining different fatB and/or FATB alleles in plants. In particular, methods for combining a suitable number of mutant fatB alleles, which encode non-functional FATB proteins and/or FATB proteins having significantly reduced activity in vivo in such a way as to significantly reduce the relative amount of total saturated fatty acids and/or of specific saturated fatty acids which accumulate in Brassica seed oil. In addition uses of the plants, or parts thereof, and/or progeny thereof, seeds and seed oils and the methods and/or kits of the invention are provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vegetable oils are increasingly important economically because they are widely used in human and animal diets and in many industrial applications. However, the fatty acid composition of these oils is often not optimal for many of these uses. Because specialty oils with particular fatty acid composition are needed for both nutritional and industrial purposes, there is considerable interest in modifying oil composition by plant-breeding and/or by new molecular tools of plant biotechnology (see for example Scarth and Tang, 2006, Crop Science 46:1225-1236, for the modification of Brassica oil).

The specific performance and health attributes of edible oils are determined largely by their fatty acid composition. Most vegetable oils derived from commercial plant varieties are composed primarily of palmitic (16:0), stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1), linoleic (18:2) and linolenic (18:3) acids. Palmitic and stearic acids are, respectively, 16 and 18 carbon-long, saturated fatty acids. Oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids are 18-carbon-long, unsaturated fatty acids containing one, two, and three double bonds, respectively. Oleic acid is referred to as a mono-unsaturated fatty acid, while linoleic and linolenic acids are referred to as poly-unsaturated fatty acids.

Brassica oilseed species, like Brassica napus (B. napus) and Brassica juncea (B. juncea), commonly known as rapeseed and mustard, are now the second largest oilseed crop after soybean (FAO, 2005; Raymer (2002) In J. Janick and A. Whipkey (ed.) Trends in new crops and new uses. ASHS Press, Alexandria, Va. Raymer, p. 122-126). Rapeseed oil produced by traditional Brassica oilseed cultivars (B. napus, B. rapa, and B. juncea) (Shahidi (1990) In Shahidi (ed.) Canola and rapeseed: Production, chemistry, nutrition, and processing technology. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, p. 3-13; Sovero (1993) In J. Janick and J. E. Simon (ed.) New crops. John Wiley & Sons, New York, p. 302-307), typically had a fatty acid composition of 5% palmitic acid (C16:0), 1% stearic acid (C18:0), 15% oleic acid (C18:1), 14% linoleic acid (C18:2), 9% linolenic acid (C18:3), and 45% erucic acid (C22:1) by weight based upon the total fatty acid content (called herein after wt %) (Ackman (1990) In Shahidi (ed.) Canola and rapeseed: Production, chemistry, nutrition, and processing technology. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, p. 81-98). Erucic acid is a nutritionally undesirable fatty acid and has been reduced to very low levels in Brassica oil for edible uses. The typical relative amount of saturated fatty acids based on the total fatty acids in the seed oil is between about 6.5% and 7.5%, whereby the majority is palmitic acid and stearic acid.

In Canada, plant scientists focused their efforts on creating so-called “double-low” varieties which were low in erucic acid in the seed oil and low in glucosinolates in the solid meal remaining after oil extraction (i.e., an erucic acid content of less than 2 wt % and a glucosinolate content of less than 30 micromoles per gram of the oil-free meal). These higher quality forms of rape developed in Canada are known as canola. Canola oil is characterized by a relatively low level of saturated fatty acids (on average about 7 wt %), a relatively high level of mono-unsaturated fatty acids (about 61 wt %) and an intermediate level of poly-unsaturated fatty acids (about 32 wt %), with a good balance between linoleic acid, i.e., an omega-6 fatty acid (about 21 wt %), and alpha-linolenic acid, i.e., an omega-3 fatty acids (about 11 wt %).

A major reason for the current interest in dietary fat relates to the evidence linking high fat intakes, especially saturated fat, to coronary heart disease. High levels of blood cholesterol, in particular the “bad” (low-density lipoprotein or LDL) cholesterol, constitute a major risk factor in coronary heart disease. Several studies suggest that diets high in mono-unsaturated fat and low in saturated fat may reduce the “bad” (low-density lipoprotein or LDL) cholesterol while maintaining the “good” (high-density lipoprotein or HDL) cholesterol (Nicolosi and Rogers, 1997, Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 29:1422-1428).

Nutrition recommendations in North America and Europe call for a reduction in total fat intake to 30% or less and a reduction in saturated fat intake to less than 10% of total energy (21 C.F.R. 101.75 (b) (3)) (as compared to a saturated fat intake of about 15% to 20% of total caloric consumption in most industrialized nations). To facilitate consumer awareness, current labeling guidelines issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) now require total saturated fatty acid levels be 1 g or less of saturated fatty acids per reference amount customarily consumed and not more than 15 percent of calories from saturated fatty acids to receive the “low saturated fat” or “low sat” label (21 C.F.R. 101.62 (c) (2)) and less than 0.5 g of saturated fat and less than 0.5 g trans fatty acid (a type of unsaturated fatty acid produced by (partial) hydrogenation of plant oils and considered unhealthy as it increases the risk of coronary heart disease, despite being unsaturated) per reference amount customarily consumed and per labeled serving to receive the “no (or zero) saturated fat” or “no (or zero) sat” label (21 C.F.R. 101.62 (c) (1)). This means that the total saturated fatty acid content (the weight percentage of saturated fatty acids based on the total amount of fatty acids in the oil), i.e. the sum of the lauric acid (C12:0; dodecanoic acid), myristic acid (C14:0; tetradecanoic acid), palmitic acid (C16:0; hexadecanoic acid), stearic acid (C18:0; octadecanopic acid), archidic acid (C20:0; eicosanoic acid), behenic acid (C22:0; docosanoic acid), and lignoceric acid (C24:0; tetracosanoic acid) content, of plant oils needs to be less than 7 wt % to receive the “low sat” label and less than 3.5 wt % to receive the “no sat” label, (based on a reference amount of 15 ml or 14 g oil—21 C.F.R. 101.12).

Canola oil contains only about 7 wt % saturated fatty acids, as compared to the level of saturated fatty acids in other commonly used edible vegetable oils such as safflower oil (8 wt %), flaxseed oil (9 wt %), sunflower oil (12 wt %), corn oil (13 wt %), olive oil (15 wt %), soybean oil (15 wt %), peanut oil (19 wt %), cottonseed oil (27 wt %), palm oil (51 wt %), and coconut oil (91 wt %) (Source POS Pilot Plant Corporation). Various approaches were used to try to further decrease this level of saturated fatty acids.

Modification of vegetable oils may be effected chemically: U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,811 describes triglyceride salad/cooking oil compositions wherein the fatty acid content of the triglyceride of the oil comprises less than about 3 wt % saturated fatty acids obtained by chemical reaction or by physical separation of the saturates. However, chemical modification of vegetable oils to decrease the level of saturated fatty acids is not only more expensive than extraction of vegetable oil from Brassica oilseed plants (or any other oilseed plant) modified to provide an improved edible endogenous vegetable oil as presently disclosed, but might also not be a desired way of improving healthiness of oils for human consumption due to the potential inadvertent presence of residues from the chemical products used and of putative side products.

Another possibility of modifying fatty acid composition is by using genetic engineering. For example, US Patent Application No. 2004/0132189 describes the reduction of the level of saturated fatty acids in Brassica lines co-expressing Cuphea pullcherima beta-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase I and IV sequences as well as a safflower delta-9 desaturase to about 3 wt % and below 3.4 wt % as compared to a level of saturated fatty acids in non-transformed control lines of about 6.0 wt %. WO06/042049 describes Brassica plants with “no saturate” or reduced saturate levels of fatty acids in their seeds expressing a delta-9 desaturase gene. However, disadvantages of transgenic approaches for commercialization are the needs for regulatory approval and the varying acceptance in different parts of the world.

The fatty acid composition of vegetable oils can also be modified through traditional breeding techniques. These techniques utilize existing germplasm as a source of naturally occurring mutations that affect fatty acid composition. For example, Raney et al. (1999, In Proc. 10th Int. Rapeseed Cong.: New horizons for an old crop, Canberra, Australia) describe breeding populations derived from interspecific crosses of B. napus with B. rapa and B. oleracea wherein the level of saturated fatty acids, expressed as the sum of myristic, palmitic, stearic, archidic, behenic, and lignoceric acid, was decreased to less than 6 wt % and wherein the level of saturated fatty acids, expressed as the sum of myristic, palmitic and stearic acid, was decreased to less than 5 wt %.

Attempts have been made to increase the pool of available mutations from which to select desired characteristics by using mutagens. For example, WO 91/15578 describes rape plants which upon self-pollination are capable of forming rapeseeds which yield oil having a saturated fatty acid content of no more than 4 wt % in the form of palmitic and stearic acid which can be formed by chemical mutagenesis followed by selection.

In plants, de novo fatty acid synthesis is located exclusively in the stroma of plastids, where the acyl chains are covalently bound to a soluble acyl carrier protein (ACP) during the extension cycles. Carbon chain elongation can be terminated by transferring the acyl group to glycerol-3-phosphate, thereby retaining it in the plastidial, “prokaryotic”, lipid biosynthesis pathway. Alternatively, specific thioesterases can intercept the prokaryotic (plastidial) pathway by hydrolyzing the newly formed acyl-ACP into a free fatty acid and ACP. Subsequently, the free fatty acid exits the plastids and supplies the cytoplasmic “eukaryotic” lipid biosynthesis pathway. The latter is located in the endoplasmic reticulum and is responsible for the formation of phospholipids, triglycerides, and other neutral lipids. Therefore, by hydrolyzing acyl-ACP and releasing the fatty acid, acyl-ACP thioesterases catalyze the first committed step in the eukaryotic lipid biosynthesis pathway in plant cells and play a crucial role in the distribution of de novo synthesized acyl groups between the two pathways (Löhden and Frentzen, 1988, Planta 176:506-512; Browse and Somerville, 1991, Annu Rev Plant Physiol Plant Mol Biol 42: 467-506; Gibson et al., 1994, Plant Cell Environ 17: 627-637).

Jones et al. (1995, Plant cell 7:359-371) and Voelker et al. (1997, Plant Physiology 114, 669-677) describe two distinct but related thioesterase gene classes in higher plants, termed FATA and FATB. These two thioesterase classes can be distinguished by sequence comparison and/or by their substrate specificity/preference. The FATA thioesterases (also called class I thioesterases) show a clear preference for C18:1 acyl- or oleoyl-ACP with only minor activity toward C18:0 acyl- and C16:0 acyl-ACPs (i.e. the acyl preference is 18:1>>18:0>>16:0). In contrast, FATB members (also called class II thioesterases) prefer saturated acyl-ACP groups as substrate, and substrate chain length varying greatly from C8 to C18 acyl-ACP (Mayer and Shanklin, 2005, J. Biol. Chem. 280(5): 3621-3627). In addition, FATB members can be further subdivided into two functional groups. Some FATB enzymes are specific for saturated acyl-ACPs in the C8 to C14 range (medium-chain acyl-ACP preferring thioesterases) and are found in medium-chain-producing species, with expression restricted to medium-chain-producing tissues. Enzymes of a second FATB group preferring C14 to C18 acyl-ACPs (predominantly palmitoyl-ACP, e.g. enzymes with a preference of C16:0>C18:1>C18:0; long-chain acyl-ACP preferring thioesterases) are probably present in all major plant parts and are not restricted to medium-chain-producing species (Jones et al., 1995, Plant cell 7:359-371). Why plants have these different types of thioesterases and what their individual roles are is still largely unclear.

FATA genes were isolated from a number of plant species, including Brassica species. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,186, No. 5,530,186, and No. 5,945,585 describe FATA genes from soybean; Hellyer et al. (1992, Plant Mol. Biol. 20:763-780) describe FATA enzymes from Brassica napus; Loader et al. (1993, Plant Mol. Biol. 23(4): 769-778) describe the isolation and characterization of two acyl-ACP thioesterase clones from a Brassica napus embryo cDNA library using oligonucleotides derived from B. napus oleoyl-ACP thioesterase protein sequence data; and Mandal et al. (2000, Bioch. Soc. Transactions 28(6): 967-968) describe the cloning of acyl-ACP thioesterase gene sequences from B. juncea that show a homology with the FATA genes from different species.

FATB genes encoding FATB enzymes specific for saturated acyl-ACPs in the C8 to C14 range (medium-chain acyl-ACP preferring thioesterases) were isolated from a number of medium-chain-producing plant species, as described in the references below:

WO91/16421 describes the isolation of a lauroyl (C12:0)-ACP-preferring thioesterase from California bay (Umbellularia californica), a C10:0 acyl-ACP-preferring thioesterase from camphor (Cuphea hookeriana) and a stearoyl (C18:0)-ACP-preferring thioesterase from safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) and the expression of the California bay thioesterase in Brassica seed, resulting in an increased level of laurate as compared to the level in non-transgenic Brassica seed.

WO92/20236 describes the isolation of C8:0 to C14:0 acyl-ACP-preferring thioesterases and the expression of a lauroyl (C12:0)-ACP-preferring thioesterase from California bay in Arabidopsis and Brassica campestris, resulting in increased levels of laurate.

Voelker et al. (1992, Science 257: 72-74) describe the expression of a FATB cDNA (Uc FATB1) encoding a lauroyl (C12:0)-ACP thioesterase from California bay, a species that accumulates capric (C10:0) and lauric acid (C12:0) in the seed oil, in seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana, which normally do not accumulate laurate, resulting in the accumulation of laurate in mature seeds. Voelker et al. (1996, Plant J. 9:229-241) describe the transformation of the same FATB transgene into Brassica napus, resulting in the accumulation of laurate to nearly 60 mol % of the triglyceride acyl groups.

Eccleston and Ohlrogge (1998, Plant cell 10:613-621) describe the expression of a C12:0 acyl-ACP thioesterase from Umbellularia californica in Brassica napus seeds leading to a seed oil containing 1.8 mol % to 59.6 mol % laurate (C12:0).

WO94/10288 describes the isolation of C8:0 to C10:0 acyl-ACP-preferring thioesterases.

Martini et al. (1995, In Proc. 9th Int. Rapeseed Cong, Cambridge, UK, p. 461-463) describe that two FATB genes from Cuphea lanceolata, separately transformed in B. napus, resulted in the accumulation of caprylic (C8:0) and capric acid (C10:0) in Brassica seed oil at low levels.

Dehesh et al. (1996, Plant J. 9(2):167-172) describe the expression of a FATB cDNA (Ch FATB2) from the Mexican shrub Cuphea hookeriana, which accumulates up to 75 mol % caprylate (C8:0) and caprate (C10:0) in its seed oil, in seeds of transgenic canola, which normally does not accumulate these fatty acids, resulting in the accumulation of caprylate (C8:0), caprate (C10:0) and laurate (C12:0) up to 11, 27 and 2 mol %, respectively.

FATB genes encoding FATB enzymes specific for/preferring saturated acyl-ACPs in the C14 to C18 range (long-chain acyl-ACP preferring thioesterases) were isolated form a number of plant species:

WO95/13390 describes the isolation of palmitoyl (C16:0)-ACP thioesterase sequences from leek, mango, elm and camphor and their use in increasing and decreasing levels of saturated fatty acids in soybean and canola by genetic transformation.

Jones et al. (1995, Plant cell 7:259-371) describe the expression of a palmitoyl (C16:0)-ACP thioesterase cDNA from camphor (Ch FATB1) in transgenic Brassica napus plants resulting in an increase of palmitate (C16:0) levels from 6 mol % up to 35 mol %.

Voelker et al. (1997, Plant Physiol. 114:669-677) describe the expression of a C14:0 to C18:0 acyl-ACP thioesterase from nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), which accumulates predominantly myristate (14:0)-containing oil, in Brassica napus seeds, leading to a seed oil enriched in C14 to C18 saturates.

Voelker et al. (1997, Plant Physiol. 114:669-677) also describe the expression of a C10:0 and C16:0 acyl-ACP thioesterase from elm (Ulmus americana), which accumulates predominantly caprate (10:0)-containing oil, in Brassica napus seeds, leading to a seed oil enriched in C10 to C18 saturates, predominantly palmitate (C16:0), myristate (C14:0), and caprate (C10:0).

WO96/23892 describes myristoyl (C14:0)-ACP thioesterase sequences from Cuphea palustris, camphor and nutmeg and their use in the production of myristate in plant cells.

WO96/06936 describes soybean and canola palmitoyl (C16:0)-ACP thioesterase cDNAs and their use in increasing and decreasing levels of saturated fatty acids in soybean and canola by genetic transformation.

Dörmann et al. (2000, Plant Physiol 123:637-643) describe over-expression of a long chain acyl-ACP thioesterase cDNA from Arabidopsis (AtFATB1) under a seed-specific promoter in Arabidopsis, resulting in the accumulation of high amounts of palmitate (C16:0) in seeds (from 10 mol % in wild-type control to 38.6 mol %). Antisense expression of the Arabidopsis FATB1 cDNA under the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter resulted in a strong reduction of seed palmitate content (from 11 mol % in wild-type control to 6 mol %) and flower palmitate content and only minor changes in leaf and root fatty acids.

Bonaventure et al. (2003, Plant Cell 15:1020-1033) describe that the palmitate (C16:0) content of glycerolipids of an Arabidopsis mutant with a T-DNA insertion in the FATB gene (in Arabidopsis two genes for FATA are present, but only a single gene for FATB; see Mekhedov et al. 2000, Plant Physiol. 122:389-402; and Beisson et al. 2003, Plant Physiol. 132: 681-697) was reduced by 42% in leaves, by 56% in flowers, by 48% in roots and by 56% in seeds. In addition, stearate (C18:0) was reduced by 50% in leaves and by 30% in seeds. The growth rate was significantly reduced in the mutant and mutant plants produced seeds with low viability, reduced germination and altered seed morphology, indicating that FATB is essential for plant growth and seed development.

Bonaventure et al. (2004, Plant Physiol 135:1269-1279) describe that the rate of fatty acid synthesis in leaves of the transgenic FATB knock-out mutant Arabidopsis plant increases by 40%, resulting in approximately the same amount of palmitate exported from the plastid as in wild type but an increase in oleate export of about 55%.

Pandian et al. (2004, poster abstract, 4th Int. Crop Sci. Cong.) reports the isolation of a full-length FATB gene sequences from B. napus (GenBank accession number DQ847275) and B. juncea (GenBank accession number DQ856315), the construction of an inverted repeat gene-silencing construct (under control of a seed-specific promoter) with a 740 bp conserved fragment of a part of the B. napus sequence which shared more than 90% sequence homology to FATB sequences of B. juncea and Arabidopsis thaliana, but less than 40% homology to the FATA genes of these three species, and its transformation into Arabidopsis thaliana, B. napus and B. juncea. The aim is to create transgenic plants with reduced palmitic acid content in the seed oil. The disclosure teaches nothing about the effect of this gene-silencing construct on the eventual seed oil composition (no results are disclosed) or about alternative methods for generating Brassica plants with low saturate seed oils.

Mayer and Shanklin (2005, J. Biol. Chem. 280(5): 3621-3627) describe a structural model of the Arabidopsis FATB protein wherein the N-terminal domain contains residues that affect specificity (see also Mayer and Shanklin, 2007, BMC Plant Biology 7(1):1-11) and the C-terminal domain contains catalytic residues.

Despite the fact that sequences of some FATB genes are available in the art, a need remains for fully understanding the genes and enzymes involved in the production and accumulation of saturated fatty acids in seed oil and in developing methods (especially non-transgenic methods) for reducing the relative amount of total saturated fatty acids and/or of specific saturated fatty acids in the seeds, without having a negative effect on the plants growth and development. To date, no (non-transgenic) Brassica crop plants are available in the art which produce seed oil containing significantly less than 7% saturated fatty acids. There remains, therefore, a need for tools and methods for developing such plants and oils as described hereinafter in the detailed description, the figures, the examples and the claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventors have found that Brassica napus plants comprise 6 different FATB genes and that the levels of saturated fatty acids in Brassica plants, particularly in the seed oil of said Brassica plants, can be controlled by controlling the number and/or types of FATB genes/alleles that are “functionally expressed” in seeds, i.e. that result in functional (biologically active) FATB protein. By combining a minimal number of mutant alleles of the six FATB genes (“fatB alleles”), while maintaining a minimal number of wild type FATB alleles, resulting in a minimal level of functional FATB protein, the level of saturated fatty acids in the seed oil can be modified and especially the relative amounts of saturated fatty acids (especially the amount of palmitic acid) are significantly reduced. It is thought that a minimal number of wild type FATB alleles is needed to maintain the production of a minimal amount of saturated fatty acids and/or of specific saturated fatty acids in specific tissues to assure a normal plant growth and seed development.

Thus, in a first aspect, the present invention provides in one embodiment a Brassica plant (and parts thereof, such as seeds) comprising at least three mutant FATB alleles in its genome, whereby the mutant FATB alleles are alleles of at least three different FATB genes selected from the group consisting of FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2 and FATB-C3 and wherein the seeds of said plant produce a seed oil having equal to or less than 6 wt %, 5 wt %, 4 wt %, or 3.5 wt % (such as less than or equal to 3 wt %, 2 wt % or 1 wt %) saturated fatty acids based on the total amount of fatty acids in the seed oil.

In another aspect, the invention provides (isolated) nucleic acid sequences encoding wild type and/or mutant FATB proteins, as well as fragments thereof, and methods of using these nucleic acid sequences to modify the Brassica seed oil composition. Also provided are the proteins themselves and their use.

The invention further relates to a plurality of Brassica seeds, to Brassica plants and parts of plants comprising at least three (mutant) fatB alleles, and thus a significantly reduced amount of functional FATB proteins compared to seeds, plants and tissues comprising FATB alleles encoding the corresponding functional proteins. The plurality of seeds comprises seed oil with a modified relative amount and/or composition of saturated fatty acids. In one aspect, especially the amount of palmitic acid (C16:0) is significantly reduced compared to seed oil derived from seeds lacking the (at least three) mutant fatB alleles (i.e. comprising wild type FATB alleles instead).

In a further aspect, the invention relates to seed oil with a modified relative amount and/or composition of saturated fatty acids, which can be obtained by harvesting seeds from a Brassica plant according to the present invention and extracting the oil from the seeds or obtained by extraction from a plurality of Brassica seeds according to the present invention, and the use of the seed oil.

In a further aspect of the invention methods are provided for generating and selecting plants, plant parts and seeds containing at least three such mutant fatB alleles present at at least three different loci in the genome (i.e. at at least three different loci from at least three different FATB genes selected from the group consisting of FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2 and FATB-C3), and to distinguish between the presence of mutant fatB alleles and wild type FATB alleles in a plant or plant part. Thus methods are provided (such as mutagenesis and/or marker assisted selection) for generating and/or identifying fatB alleles or plants or plant parts comprising such alleles and for combining a suitable number of fatB alleles and/or different types of fatB alleles in a single plant, whereby the saturated fatty acid levels of the seed oil of this plant are significantly reduced.

Methods are also provided for using the plants, plurality of seeds, plant parts, etc. of the invention, for obtaining “low saturate” or “no saturate” seed oil from crushed Brassica seeds. As used herein, “plant product” includes anything derived from a plant of the invention, including plant parts such as seeds, seed meal, seed cake, seed fats or oils.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1—Graph showing the results from the semi-quantitative RT-PCR of Example 3. The timing (11, 21 and 34 days after anthesis) (X-axis) and the level of expression of each FATB gene in seed (based on 10 ng RNA) expressed as the amount of genomic DNA (in ng) which generated a band intensity comparable with the band intensity of the FATB gene-specific RT-PCR product (Y-axis) is indicated.

FIG. 2—Schematical representation of the FATB-A1 gene (with introns), encoding a wild-type FATB-A1 protein from spring oilseed rape (S) Brassica napus. (SEQ ID NO: 13)

FIG. 3—Schematical representation of the FATB-A2 gene (with introns), encoding a wild-type FATB-A1 protein from spring oilseed rape (S) Brassica napus. (SEQ ID NO: 15)

FIG. 4—Schematical representation of the FATB-A3 gene (with introns), encoding a wild-type FATB-A1 protein from spring oilseed rape (S) Brassica napus. (SEQ ID NO: 17)

FIG. 5—Schematical representation of the FATB-C1 gene (with introns), encoding a wild-type FATB-A1 protein from spring oilseed rape (S) Brassica napus. (SEQ ID NO: 19)

FIG. 6—Schematical representation of the FATB-C2 gene (with introns), encoding a wild-type FATB-A1 protein from spring oilseed rape (S) Brassica napus. (SEQ ID NO: 21)

FIG. 7—Schematical representation of the FATB-C3 gene (with introns), encoding a wild-type FATB-A1 protein from spring oilseed rape (S) Brassica napus. (SEQ ID NO: 23)

In FIG. 2-7 the exons are indicated with gray boxes, the introns by the horizontal lines in between the exons; the position of the mutations described in the Examples (named “EMSxx” according to their respective “FATB-Xx-EMSxx” name as described in the Examples) is indicated with vertical lines; the length and position of the FATB specific probes with SEQ ID NO:25 and 28 are indicated by vertical lines below the schematical representation of the FATB genes; the position of the FATB specific primers (named “ID xx” according to their respective SEQ ID NO: xx) are indicated by arrowheads; the scale bar indicates the length of the respective FATB genes.

FIG. 8—Graph showing the correlation between the presence of none to four mutant FATB alleles in homozygous state in Brassica plants and the level of total saturated fatty acids (i.e. C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C20:0, C22:0 and C24:0 fatty acids) (in weight percentage based on total amount of fatty acids) in seed oil of the Brassica plants.

FIG. 9—Graph showing the correlation between the presence of none to four mutant FATB alleles in homozygous state in Brassica plants and the level of total saturated fatty acids (i.e. C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C20:0, C22:0 and C24:0 fatty acids) (in weight percentage based on total amount of fatty acids) in seed oil of the Brassica plants.

The analysed Brassica plants were progeny plants of Brassica plants comprising three or four mutant FATB alleles, i.e. FATB-AX-EMSY or FATB-CX-EMSY alleles as indicated in Table 23, in heterozygous state as indicated. The mutant FATB alleles are referred to as ‘aX-Y’ and ‘cX-Y’ or as ‘aX’ and ‘cX’; wild-type FATB alleles are referred to as ‘AX’ and ‘CX’).

GENERAL DEFINITIONS

“Low in saturates” or “low sats” oil refers herein to seed-derived oil containing (on average) less than 7 wt % of total saturated fatty acids based on the total wt % of fatty acids in the oil. The wt % saturated fatty acids of low sats seed oil can be equal to or less than 6 wt %, 5 wt %, 4 wt %, but above 3.5 wt % (e.g. 3.6 wt %).

“No saturates” or “no sats” oil refers herein to seed-derived oil containing (on average) less than 3.6 wt % of total saturated fatty acids based on the total wt % of fatty acids in the oil. The wt % saturated fatty acids of no sats seed oil can be equal to or less than 3.5 wt %, 3.0 wt %, 2.5 wt %, 2.0 wt %, 1.5 wt % or 1 wt %.

“Crop plant” refers to plant species cultivated as a crop, such as Brassica napus (AACC, 2n=38), Brassica juncea (AABB, 2n=36), Brassica carinata (BBCC, 2n=34), Brassica rapa (syn. B. campestris) (AA, 2n=20), Brassica oleracea (CC, 2n=18) or Brassica nigra (BB, 2n=16). The definition does not encompass weeds, such as Arabidopsis thaliana.

The term “nucleic acid sequence” (or nucleic acid molecule) refers to a DNA or RNA molecule in single or double stranded form, particularly a DNA encoding a protein or protein fragment according to the invention. An “endogenous nucleic acid sequence” refers to a nucleic acid sequence which is within a plant cell, e.g. an endogenous allele of a FATB gene present within the nuclear genome of a Brassica cell.

The term “gene” means a DNA sequence comprising a region (transcribed region), which is transcribed into an RNA molecule (e.g. a pre-mRNA, comprising intron sequences, which is then spliced into a mature mRNA) in a cell, operable linked to regulatory regions (e.g. a promoter). A gene may thus comprise several operably linked sequences, such as a promoter, a 5′ leader sequence comprising e.g. sequences involved in translation initiation, a (protein) coding region (cDNA or genomic DNA) and a 3′ non-translated sequence comprising e.g. transcription termination sites. “Endogenous gene” is used to differentiate from a “foreign gene”, “transgene” or “chimeric gene”, and refers to a gene from a plant of a certain plant genus, species or variety, which has not been introduced into that plant by transformation (i.e. it is not a ‘transgene’), but which is normally present in plants of that genus, species or variety, or which is introduced in that plant from plants of another plant genus, species or variety, in which it is normally present, by normal breeding techniques or by somatic hybridization, e.g., by protoplast fusion. Similarly, an “endogenous allele” of a gene is not introduced into a plant or plant tissue by plant transformation, but is, for example, generated by plant mutagenesis and/or selection or obtained by screening natural populations of plants.

“Expression of a gene” or “gene expression” refers to the process wherein a DNA region, which is operably linked to appropriate regulatory regions, particularly a promoter, is transcribed into an RNA molecule. The RNA molecule is then processed further (by post-transcriptional processes) within the cell, e.g. by RNA splicing and translation initiation and translation into an amino acid chain (polypeptide), and translation termination by translation stop codons. The term “functionally expressed” is used herein to indicate that a functional protein is produced; the term “not functionally expressed” to indicate that a protein with reduced or no functionality (biological activity) is produced or that no protein is produced (see also below).

The terms “protein” or “polypeptide” are used interchangeably and refer to molecules consisting of a chain of amino acids, without reference to a specific mode of action, size, 3-dimensional structure or origin. A “fragment” or “portion” of a FATB protein may thus still be referred to as a “protein”. An “isolated protein” is used to refer to a protein which is no longer in its natural environment, for example in vitro or in a recombinant bacterial or plant host cell. An “enzyme” is a protein comprising enzymatic activity, such as functional FATB proteins, which are capable of hydrolyzing the substrate(s) fatty acyl-ACP into free fatty acids and ACP (EC number 3.1.2.).

The terms “target peptide” or “transit peptide” refer to amino acid sequences which target a protein to intracellular organelles such as plastids. Wild type FATB proteins comprise a plastid target peptide (or plastid transit peptide) at their N-terminal end.

“Mature protein” or “mature FATB protein” refers to a functional FATB enzyme without the plastid transit peptide. “Precursor protein” refers to the mature protein with its transit peptide.

The “FATB gene” refers herein to the nucleic acid sequence encoding a fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase type II protein (i.e. a FATB protein). A functional “FATB protein” has fatty acyl ACP thioesterase activity, i.e. it is capable of hydrolyzing fatty acyl-ACP substrates, preferably saturated fatty acyl-ACP substrates (e.g. palmitoyl-ACP; C16:0-ACP) into free fatty acid (e.g. C16:0) and ACP, which can be tested using a biological assay. To determine the function and/or the functionality of a specific FATB gene/protein, the bacterial expression system as described in Salas and Ohlrogge (2002, Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 403:25-34) or the agar-plate based colorimetric screen for thioesterase activity described in Mayer and Shanklin (2007, BMC Plant Biology 7(1):1-11) can, for example, be used. To determine the overall FATB activity in a plant or a plant tissue, assays for fatty acyl-ACP hydrolysis can be performed on plant extracts as described, for example, by Bonaventure et al. (2003, Plant Cell 15:1020-1033) and Eccleston and Ohlrogge (1998, Plant Cell 10: 613-622).

As used herein, the term “allele(s)” means any of one or more alternative forms of a gene at a particular locus. In a diploid (or amphidiploid) cell of an organism, alleles of a given gene are located at a specific location or locus (loci plural) on a chromosome. One allele is present on each chromosome of the pair of homologous chromosomes.

As used herein, the term “homologous chromosomes” means chromosomes that contain information for the same biological features and contain the same genes at the same loci but possibly different alleles of those genes. Homologous chromosomes are chromosomes that pair during meiosis. “Non-homologous chromosomes”, representing all the biological features of an organism, form a set, and the number of sets in a cell is called ploidy. Diploid organisms contain two sets of non-homologous chromosomes, wherein each homologous chromosome is inherited from a different parent. In amphidiploid species, essentially two sets of diploid genomes exist, whereby the chromosomes of the two genomes are referred to as homeologous chromosomes (and similarly, the loci or genes of the two genomes are referred to as homeologous loci or genes). A diploid, or amphidiploid, plant species may comprise a large number of different alleles at a particular locus.

As used herein, the term “heterozygous” means a genetic condition existing when two different alleles reside at a specific locus, but are positioned individually on corresponding pairs of homologous chromosomes in the cell. Conversely, as used herein, the term “homozygous” means a genetic condition existing when two identical alleles reside at a specific locus, but are positioned individually on corresponding pairs of homologous chromosomes in the cell.

As used herein, the term “locus” (loci plural) means a specific place or places or a site on a chromosome where for example a gene or genetic marker is found. For example, the “FATB-A1 locus” refers to the position on a chromosome of the A genome where the FATB-A1 gene (and two FATB-A1 alleles) is (are) found.

Whenever reference to a “plant” or “plants” according to the invention is made, it is understood that also plant parts (cells, tissues or organs, seeds, severed parts such as roots, leaves, flowers, pollen, etc.), progeny of the plants which retain the distinguishing characteristics of the parents (especially the seed oil composition), such as seed obtained by selfing or crossing, e.g. hybrid seed (obtained by crossing two inbred parental lines), hybrid plants and plant parts derived therefrom are encompassed herein, unless otherwise indicated.

A “molecular assay” (or test) refers to an assay that indicates (directly or indirectly) the presence or absence of one or more particular FATB alleles at one or more FATB loci (i.e. at one or more of the loci FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2, and/or FATB-C3). In one embodiment it allows one to determine whether a particular (wild type or mutant) allele is homozygous or heterozygous at the locus in any individual plant.

As used herein, the term “wild type FATB” (e.g. wild type FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2, or FATB-C3), means a naturally occurring allele found within Brassica plants, which encodes a functional FATB protein (e.g. a functional FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2, or FATB-C3, respectively). In contrast, “mutant FATB” (e.g. mutant FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2, or FATB-C3) refers to a FATB allele, which does not encode a functional FATB protein, i.e. a FATB allele encoding a non-functional FATB protein (e.g. a non-functional FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2, or FATB-C3, respectively) or encoding no FATB protein. Such a “mutant FATB allele” is a wild-type FATB allele, which comprises one or more mutations in its nucleic acid sequence, whereby the mutation(s) preferably result in a significantly reduced (absolute or relative) amount of functional FATB protein in the cell in vivo. Mutant alleles of the FATB-protein-encoding nucleic acid sequences are designated as “fatB” (e.g. fatB-a1, fatB-a2, fatB-a3, fatB-c1, fatB-c2, or fatB-c3, respectively) herein. Mutant alleles can be either “natural mutant” alleles, which are mutant alleles found in nature (e.g. produced spontaneously without human application of mutagens) or “induced mutant” alleles, which are induced by human intervention, e.g. by mutagenesis.

A “significantly reduced amount of functional FATB protein” (e.g. functional FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2 and/or FATB-C3 protein) refers to a reduction in the amount of a functional FATB protein produced by the cell comprising a mutant FATB allele by at least 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95% or 100% (i.e. no functional protein is produced by the cell) as compared to the amount of the functional FATB protein produced by the cell not comprising the mutant FATB allele. This definition encompasses thus the production of a “non-functional” protein (e.g. truncated protein) having no biological activity in vivo, the reduction in the absolute amount of the functional protein (e.g. no functional protein being made due to the mutation in the gene), and/or the production of a protein with reduced biological activity, i.e. a “mal-functional” protein (such as a truncated protein or a protein produced by alternative mRNA splicing) compared to the activity of the wild type, functional protein. Likewise the term “mutant FATB protein” encompasses both a protein encoded by a mutant nucleic acid sequence (“fatB allele”) whereby the mutation results in a significantly reduced and/or no FATB enzymatic activity in vivo, compared to the activity of the protein encoded by the non-mutant, wild type sequence (“FATB allele”).

“Mutagenesis”, as used herein, refers to the process in which plant cells (e.g., a Brassica seed or tissues, such as pollen, etc.) are contacted one or more times to a mutagenic agent, such as a chemical substance (such as ethylmethylsulfonate (EMS), ethylnitrosourea (ENU), etc.) or ionizing radiation (neutrons (such as in fast neutron mutagenesis, etc.), gamma rays (such as that supplied by a Cobalt 60 source), X-rays, etc.), or a combination of the foregoing. While mutations created by irradiation are often large deletions or other gross lesions such as translocations or complex rearrangements, mutations created by chemical mutagens are often more discrete lesions such as point mutations. For example, EMS alkylates guanine bases, which results in base mispairing: an alkylated guanine will pair with a thymine base, resulting primarily in G/C to A/T transitions. Following mutagenesis, Brassica plants are regenerated from the treated cells using known techniques. For instance, the resulting Brassica seeds may be planted in accordance with conventional growing procedures and following self-pollination seed is formed on the plants. Alternatively, doubled haploid plantlets may be extracted to immediately form homozygous plants. Additional seed which is formed as a result of such self-pollination in the present or a subsequent generation may be harvested and screened for the presence of mutant FATB alleles. Several techniques are known to screen for specific mutant alleles, e.g., Deleteagene™ (Delete-a-gene; Li et al., 2001, Plant J 27: 235-242) uses polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to screen for deletion mutants generated by fast neutron mutagenesis, TILLING (targeted induced local lesions in genomes; McCallum et al., 2000, Nat Biotechnol 18:455-457) identifies EMS-induced point mutations, etc. Additional techniques to screen for the presence of specific mutant FATB alleles are described in the Examples below.

The term “ortholog” of a gene or protein refers herein to the homologous gene or protein found in another species, which has the same function as the gene or protein, but is (usually) diverged in sequence from the time point on when the species harbouring the genes diverged (i.e. the genes evolved from a common ancestor by speciation). Orthologs of the Brassica napus FATB genes may thus be identified in other plant species (e.g. Brassica juncea, etc.) based on both sequence comparisons (e.g. based on percentages sequence identity over the entire sequence or over specific domains) and/or functional analysis.

A “variety” is used herein in conformity with the UPOV convention and refers to a plant grouping within a single botanical taxon of the lowest known rank, which grouping can be defined by the expression of the characteristics resulting from a given genotype or combination of genotypes, can be distinguished from any other plant grouping by the expression of at least one of the said characteristics and is considered as a unit with regard to its suitability for being propagated unchanged (stable).

The term “comprising” is to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated parts, steps or components, but does not exclude the presence of one or more additional parts, steps or components. A plant comprising a certain trait may thus comprise additional traits.

It is understood that when referring to a word in the singular (e.g. plant or root), the plural is also included herein (e.g. a plurality of plants, a plurality of roots). Thus, reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements. The indefinite article “a” or “an” thus usually means “at least one”.

For the purpose of this invention, the “sequence identity” of two related nucleotide or amino acid sequences, expressed as a percentage, refers to the number of positions in the two optimally aligned sequences which have identical residues (×100) divided by the number of positions compared. A gap, i.e., a position in an alignment where a residue is present in one sequence but not in the other, is regarded as a position with non-identical residues. The “optimal alignment” of two sequences is found by aligning the two sequences over the entire length according to the Needleman and Wunsch global alignment algorithm (Needleman and Wunsch, 1970, J Mol Biol 48(3):443-53) in The European Molecular Biology Open Software Suite (EMBOSS, Rice et al., 2000, Trends in Genetics 16(6): 276-277; see e.g. http://www.ebi.ac.uk/emboss/align/index.html) using default settings (gap opening penalty=10 (for nucleotides)/10 (for proteins) and gap extension penalty=0.5 (for nucleotides)/0.5 (for proteins)). For nucleotides the default scoring matrix used is EDNAFULL and for proteins the default scoring matrix is EBLOSUM62.

“Substantially identical” or “essentially similar”, as used herein, refers to sequences, which, when optimally aligned as defined above, share at least a certain minimal percentage of sequence identity (as defined further below).

“Stringent hybridization conditions” can be used to identify nucleotide sequences, which are substantially identical to a given nucleotide sequence. Stringent conditions are sequence dependent and will be different in different circumstances. Generally, stringent conditions are selected to be about 5° C. lower than the thermal melting point (T_(m)) for the specific sequences at a defined ionic strength and pH. The T_(m) is the temperature (under defined ionic strength and pH) at which 50% of the target sequence hybridizes to a perfectly matched probe. Typically stringent conditions will be chosen in which the salt concentration is about 0.02 molar at pH 7 and the temperature is at least 60° C. Lowering the salt concentration and/or increasing the temperature increases stringency. Stringent conditions for RNA-DNA hybridizations (Northern blots using a probe of e.g. 100 nt) are for example those which include at least one wash in 0.2×SSC at 63° C. for 20 min, or equivalent conditions.

“High stringency conditions” can be provided, for example, by hybridization at 65° C. in an aqueous solution containing 6×SSC (20×SSC contains 3.0 M NaCl, 0.3 M Na-citrate, pH 7.0), 5×Denhardt's (100×Denhardt's contains 2% Ficoll, 2% Polyvinyl pyrollidone, 2% Bovine Serum Albumin), 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS), and 20 μg/ml denaturated carrier DNA (single-stranded fish sperm DNA, with an average length of 120-3000 nucleotides) as non-specific competitor. Following hybridization, high stringency washing may be done in several steps, with a final wash (about 30 min) at the hybridization temperature in 0.2-0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS.

“Moderate stringency conditions” refers to conditions equivalent to hybridization in the above described solution but at about 60-62° C. Moderate stringency washing may be done at the hybridization temperature in 1×SSC, 0.1% SDS.

“Low stringency” refers to conditions equivalent to hybridization in the above described solution at about 50-52° C. Low stringency washing may be done at the hybridization temperature in 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS. See also Sambrook et al. (1989) and Sambrook and Russell (2001).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It was found by the inventors that Brassica napus (genome AACC, 2n=4x=38), which is an allotetraploid (amphidiploid) species containing essentially two diploid genomes (the A and the C genome) due to its origin from diploid ancestors, comprises a total of six FATB loci and FATB genes in its genome, three genes on the A genome (referred herein to as “FATB-A1”, “FATB-A2” and “FATB-A3”) and three genes on the C genome (referred herein to as “FATB-C1”, “FATB-C2” and “FATB-C3”). The FATB-A1 gene is said to be “homeologous” to the FATB-C1 gene, FATB-A2 is homeologous to FATB-C2 and FATB-A3 is homeologous to FATB-C3, i.e. the “A genes” are found on the A genome and originate from the diploid ancestor B. rapa (AA), while the “C genes” are found on the C genome of B. napus and originate from the diploid ancestor B. oleracea (CC).

As in any diploid genome, two “alleles” can be present for each FATB gene at each FATB locus in the genome (one allele being the gene sequence found on one chromosome and the other on the homologous chromosome). The nucleotide sequence of these two alleles may be identical (homozygous) or different (heterozygous) in any given plant, although the number of different possible alleles existing for each FATB gene may be much larger than two in the species as a whole.

It was moreover found that plants comprising a mutation, which causes a significant reduction in the amount of functional FATB protein encoded by the wild type equivalent of the mutant fatB allele, in only one or two of these six FATB genes is not sufficient to significantly reduce the percentage (wt %) of saturated fatty acids in the seed oil of the plants. It is thought that at least three mutant fatB alleles, of three different FATB genes (selected from FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2 and FATB-C3) need to be comprised in the plant in order to obtain plants which produce a low or no saturate seed oil.

Thus in one embodiment of the invention, plants comprising at least 3 mutant fatB alleles of three different FATB genes are provided herein, whereby the mutant fatB alleles result in a significantly reduced amount of functional FATB protein of the type encoded by the wild-type equivalent of these mutant alleles and thus an overall significantly reduced amount of the functional FATB proteins produced in the plant cells, specifically in the developing seeds, in vivo.

By combining sufficient copies of specific mutant fatB alleles with sufficient copies of specific wild type FATB alleles in one plant, it is possible to fine tune the amount and/or type of functional FATB proteins made, which in turn influences the export of (the amount and/or type of) free saturated fatty acids from the plastid and thus the fatty acid composition of the seed oil produced. The absolute and relative amount of each of the six FATB proteins can thus be tuned in such a way as to provide plants which produce sufficient FATB protein(s) for growth and development of the plant, while the desired amount and/or type of fatty acids is made and stored in the seed oil of these plants. Thus in one embodiment of the invention, plants and plant parts are provided comprising at least one functionally expressed FATB allele, selected from FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2 and FATB-C3, which encodes a fully functional FATB protein, while the remaining alleles may be mutant fatB alleles.

Thus, in one aspect of the invention plants or plant parts comprising n-tuple mutant fatB alleles (of the 6 FATB genes) are provided, whereby n≦12, preferably n≦11 (e.g. n=10, 9 or 8), so that at least one allele produces a functional FATB protein.

In a further aspect of the invention homozygous FATB triple mutant- (n=6, i.e. homozygous for mutant alleles of three genes, selected from the 6 FATB genes), homozygous FATB quadruple mutant- (n=8) and/or homozygous FATB quintuple mutant- (n=10) plants or plant parts are provided, whereby the mutant alleles are selected from the genes FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2 and FATB-C3.

Thus in one embodiment of the invention, homozygous FATB triple mutant plants are provided herein, wherein the genotype of the plant can be described as:

-   -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3, or     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3.

In another embodiment of the invention, homozygous FATB quadruple mutant plants are provided herein, wherein the genotype of the plant can be described as:

-   -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3, or     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, homozygous FATB quintuple mutant plants are provided herein, wherein the genotype of the plant can be described as:

-   -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3, or     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3.

In a further aspect of the invention the homozygous FATB triple (n=6), quadruple (n=8) and/or quintuple (n=10) mutant plants or plant parts comprise a further mutant allele, wherein the mutant plants or plant parts are heterozygous for the additional mutant FATB allele (i.e., n=7, n=9, and n=11, respectively), and wherein the mutant allele is selected from the remaining wild-type FATB genes (i.e., FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2 or FATB-C3 genes).

Thus in a further embodiment of the invention, homozygous FATB triple mutant plants comprising one further mutant FATB allele are provided herein, wherein the genotype of the plant can be described as:

-   -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/FATB-C1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/FATB-C2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/FATB-C2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/FATB-A3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/FATB-A3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/FATB-C1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/FATB-C2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/FATB-C1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/FATB-A2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-A2/FATB-A2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/FATB-A2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/FATB-A3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/FATB-C2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/FATB-C1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3, fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/FATB-A3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/FATB-A1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/FATB-A1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/FATB-A1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/FATB-A1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/FATB-A2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3, or     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3.

In still another embodiment of the invention, homozygous FATB quadruple mutant plants comprising one further mutant FATB allele are provided herein, wherein the genotype of the plant can be described as:

-   -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/FATB-C2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/FATB-C1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2, fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/FATB-A3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/FATB-A2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/FATB-C3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/FATB-C3,     -   fatB-a1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, FATB-C2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         FATB-C1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, FATB-A3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/FATB-A1, FATB-A2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3, or     -   FATB-A1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3.

In a further embodiment of the invention, homozygous FATB quintuple mutant plants comprising one further mutant FATB allele are provided herein, wherein the genotype of the plant can be described as:

-   -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, FATB-C3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/FATB-C2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/FATB-C1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/FATB-A3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3,     -   fatB-a1/fatB-a1, fatB-a2/FATB-A2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3, or     -   fatB-a1/FATB-A1, fatB-a2/fatB-a2, fatB-a3/fatB-a3,         fatB-c1/fatB-c1, fatB-c2/fatB-c2, fatB-c3/fatB-c3.

Further provided herein are nucleic acid sequences of wild type and mutant FATB genes/alleles from Brassica species, as well as the wild type and mutant FATB proteins. Also provided are methods of generating and combining mutant and wild type FATB alleles in Brassica plants, as well as Brassica plants and plant parts comprising specific combinations of wild type and mutant FATB alleles in their genome, whereby these plants produce seed oil with low saturates or no saturates, and whereby the plants preferably grow normally and have a normal phenotype. The use of these plants for transferring mutant FATB alleles to other plants is also an embodiment of the invention, as are the plant products of any of the plants described. In addition kits and methods for marker assisted selection (MAS) for combining or detecting FATB genes and/or alleles are provided. Each of the embodiments of the invention is described in detail herein below.

Nucleic Acid Sequences According to the Invention

Provided are both wild type (FATB) nucleic acid sequences, encoding functional FATB proteins, and mutant (fatB) nucleic acid sequences (comprising one or more mutations, preferably mutations which result in a significantly reduced biological activity of the encoded FATB protein or in no FATB protein being produced) of FATB genes from Brassica species, especially from Brassica napus, but also from other Brassica crop species. For example, Brassica species comprising an A and/or a C genome may comprise different alleles of FATB-A or FATB-C genes which can be identified and combined in a single plant according to the invention. In addition, mutagenesis methods can be used to generate mutations in wild type FATB alleles, thereby generating mutant alleles for use according to the invention. Because specific FATB alleles are preferably combined in a Brassica napus plant by crossing and selection, in one embodiment the FATB and/or fatB nucleic acid sequences are provided within a Brassica plant (i.e. endogenously) which can be crossed with Brassica napus or which can be used to make a “synthetic” Brassica napus plant. Hybridization between different Brassica species is described in the art, e.g., as referred to in Snowdon (2007, Chromosome research 15: 85-95). Interspecific hybridization can, for example, be used to transfer genes from, e.g., the C genome in B. napus (AACC) to the C genome in B. carinata (BBCC), or even from, e.g., the C genome in B. napus (AACC) to the B genome in B. juncea (AABB) (by the sporadic event of illegitimate recombination between their C and B genomes). “Resynthesized” or “synthetic” Brassica napus lines can be produced by crossing the original ancestors, B. oleracea (CC) and B. rapa (AA). Interspecific, and also intergeneric, incompatibility barriers can be successfully overcome in crosses between Brassica crop species and their relatives, e.g., by embryo rescue techniques or protoplast fusion (see e.g. Snowdon, above).

However, isolated FATB and fatB nucleic acid sequences (e.g. isolated from the plant by cloning or made synthetically by DNA synthesis), as well as variants thereof and fragments of any of these are also provided herein, as these can be used to determine which sequence is present endogenously in a plant or plant part, whether the sequence encodes a functional protein or a protein with significantly reduced or no functionality (e.g. by expression in a recombinant host cell and enzyme assays) and for selection and transfer of specific alleles from one Brassica plant into another, in order to generate a plant having the desired combination of functional and mutant alleles.

Nucleic acid sequences of FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2 and FATB-C3 have been isolated from Brassica napus winter oilseed rape (WOSR) and spring oilseed rape (SOSR), as depicted in the sequence listing. The wild type FATB sequences are depicted, while the mutant fatB sequences of these sequences, and of sequences essentially similar to these, are described herein below and in the Examples, with reference to the wild type FATB sequences. The genomic FATB protein-encoding DNA, and corresponding pre-mRNA, comprises 5 exons (numbered exons 1-5 starting from the 5′ end) interrupted by 4 introns (numbered introns 1-4, starting from the 5′ end). In the cDNA and corresponding processed mRNA (i.e. the spliced RNA), introns are removed and exons are joined, as depicted in the sequence listing. Exon sequences are more conserved evolutionarily and are therefore less variable than intron sequences.

“FATB-A1 nucleic acid sequences” or “FATB-A1 variant nucleic acid sequences” according to the invention are nucleic acid sequences encoding an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 2 (WOSR FATB-A1) when aligned with or without transit peptide and/or with SEQ ID NO: 14 (SOSR FATB-A1) when aligned with or without transit peptide or nucleic acid sequences having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 1 (WOSR FATB-A1) when aligned with or without introns 1-4 and/or with SEQ ID NO: 13 (SOSR FATB-A1) when aligned with or without introns 1-4. These nucleic acid sequences may also be referred to as being “essentially similar” or “essentially identical” the FATB sequences provided in the sequence listing.

“FATB-A2 nucleic acid sequences” or “FATB-A2 variant nucleic acid sequences” according to the invention are nucleic acid sequences encoding an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 4 (WOSR FATB-A2) when aligned with or without transit peptide and/or with SEQ ID NO: 16 (SOSR FATB-A2) when aligned with or without transit peptide or nucleic acid sequences having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 3 (WOSR FATB-A2) when aligned with or without introns 1-4 and/or SEQ ID NO: 15 (SOSR FATB-A2) when aligned with or without introns 1-4. These nucleic acid sequences may also be referred to as being “essentially similar” or “essentially identical” the FATB sequences provided in the sequence listing.

“FATB-A3 nucleic acid sequences” or “FATB-A3 variant nucleic acid sequences” according to the invention are nucleic acid sequences encoding an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 6 (WOSR FATB-A3) when aligned with or without transit peptide and/or with SEQ ID NO: 18 (SOSR FATB-A3) when aligned with or without transit peptide or nucleic acid sequences having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 5 (WOSR FATB-A3) when aligned with or without introns 1-4 and/or SEQ ID NO: 17 (SOSR FATB-A3) when aligned with or without introns 1-4. These nucleic acid sequences may also be referred to as being “essentially similar” or “essentially identical” the FATB sequences provided in the sequence listing.

“FATB-C1 nucleic acid sequences” or “FATB-C1 variant nucleic acid sequences” according to the invention are nucleic acid sequences encoding an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 8 (WOSR FATB-C1) when aligned with or without transit peptide and/or with SEQ ID NO: 20 (SOSR FATB-C1) when aligned with or without transit peptide or nucleic acid sequences having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 7 (WOSR FATB-C1) when aligned with or without introns 1-4 and/or with SEQ ID NO: 19 (SOSR FATB-C1) when aligned with or without introns 1-4. These nucleic acid sequences may also be referred to as being “essentially similar” or “essentially identical” the FATB sequences provided in the sequence listing.

“FATB-C2 nucleic acid sequences” or “FATB-C2 variant nucleic acid sequences” according to the invention are nucleic acid sequences encoding an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 10 (WOSR FATB-C2) when aligned with or without transit peptide and/or with SEQ ID NO: 22 (SOSR FATB-C2) when aligned with or without transit peptide or nucleic acid sequences having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 9 (WOSR FATB-C2) when aligned with or without introns 1-4 and/or SEQ ID NO: 21 (SOSR FATB-C2) when aligned with or without introns 1-4. These nucleic acid sequences may also be referred to as being “essentially similar” or “essentially identical” the FATB sequences provided in the sequence listing.

“FATB-C3 nucleic acid sequences” or “FATB-C3 variant nucleic acid sequences” according to the invention are nucleic acid sequences encoding an amino acid sequence having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 12 (WOSR FATB-C3) when aligned with or without transit peptide and/or with SEQ ID NO: 24 (SOSR FATB-C3) when aligned with or without transit peptide or nucleic acid sequences having at least at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 11 (WOSR FATB-C3) when aligned with or without introns 1-4 and/or SEQ ID NO: 23 (SOSR FATB-C3) when aligned with or without introns 1-4. These nucleic acid sequences may also be referred to as being “essentially similar” or “essentially identical” the FATB sequences provided in the sequence listing.

Thus, the invention provides both nucleic acid sequences encoding wild type, functional FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2 and FATB-C3 proteins, including variants and fragments thereof (as defined further below), as well as mutant nucleic acid sequences of any of these, whereby the mutation in the nucleic acid sequence preferably results in one or more amino acids being inserted, deleted or substituted in comparison to the wild type protein. Preferably the mutation(s) in the nucleic acid sequence result in one or more amino acid changes (i.e. in relation to the wild type amino acid sequence one or more amino acids are inserted, deleted and/or substituted) whereby the biological activity of the FATB protein is significantly reduced. A significant reduction in biological activity of the mutant FATB protein, refers to a reduction in enzymatic activity (i.e. in acyl ACP-thioesterase activity) by at least 30%, at least 40%, 50% or more, at least 90% or 100% (no biological activity) compared to the activity of the wild type protein.

Both endogenous and isolated nucleic acid sequences are provided herein. Also provided are fragments of the FATB sequences and FATB variant nucleic acid sequences defined above, for use as primers or probes and as components of kits according to another aspect of the invention (see further below). A “fragment” of a FATB or fatB nucleic acid sequence or variant thereof (as defined) may be of various lengths, such as at least 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 contiguous nucleotides of the FATB or fatB sequence (or of the variant sequence).

Nucleic Acid Sequences Encoding Functional FATB Proteins

The nucleic acid sequences depicted in the sequence listing encode wild type, functional FATB proteins from Brassica napus. Thus, these sequences are endogenous to the WOSR and SOSR plants from which they were isolated. Other Brassica crop species, varieties, breeding lines or wild accessions may be screened for other FATB alleles, encoding the same FATB proteins or variants thereof. For example, nucleic acid hybridization techniques (e.g. Southern blot, using for example stringent hybridization conditions) or PCR-based techniques may be used to identify FATB alleles endogenous to other Brassica plants, such as various Brassica napus varieties, lines or accessions, but also Brassica juncea (especially FATB alleles on the A-genome), Brassica carinata (especially FATB alleles on the C-genome) and Brassica rapa (A-genome) and Brassica oleracea (C-genome) plants and tissues can be screened for other wild type FATB alleles. To screen such plants or plant tissues for the presence of FATB alleles, the FATB nucleic acid sequences provided in the sequence listing, or variants or fragments of any of these, may be used. For example whole sequences or fragments may be used as probes or primers. For example specific or degenerate primers may be used to amplify nucleic acid sequences encoding FATB proteins from the genomic DNA of the plant or plant tissue. These FATB nucleic acid sequences may be isolated and sequenced using standard molecular biology techniques. Bioinformatics analysis may then be used to characterize the allele(s), for example in order to determine which FATB allele the sequence corresponds to and which FATB protein or protein variant is encoded by the sequence.

Whether a nucleic acid sequence encodes a functional FATB protein can be analyzed by recombinant DNA techniques as known in the art, e.g. expressing the nucleic acid molecule in a host cell (e.g. a bacterium, such as E. coli) and analyzing the acyl-ACP thioesterase activity and/or substrate specificity of the resulting protein or cells. For example, fatty acyl-ACP hydrolysis after recombinant expression in E. coli is described by Doermann et al., 2000 (Plant Physiology 123: 637-643) and Doermann et al. 1995 (Arch Biochem Biophys 316: 612-618), by Yuan et al. (1995, PNAS Vol 92: 10639-10643), by Salas and Ohlrogge (2002, Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 403:25-34) and by Mayer and Shanklin (2007, BMC Plant Biology 7(1):1-11). Also, assays for fatty acyl-ACP hydrolysis using crude plant tissue homogenates have been described by Eccleston and Ohlrogge (for C12:0- and C18:1-ACP hydrolysis; 1998, Plant Cell 10: 613-622), by Salas and Ohlrogge (2002, Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics 403:25-34) and by Bonaventure et al. (for C16:0-ACP and C18:1-ACP hydrolysis; 2003, Plant Cell 15:1020-1033).

In addition, it is understood that FATB nucleic acid sequences and variants thereof (or fragments of any of these) may be identified in silico, by screening nucleic acid databases for essentially similar sequences. Likewise, a nucleic acid sequence may be synthesized chemically. Fragments of nucleic acid molecules according to the invention are also provided, which are described further below. Fragments include nucleic acid sequences encoding only the mature protein, or smaller fragments comprising all or part of the exon and/or intron sequences, etc.

Nucleic Acid Sequences Encoding Mutant FATB Proteins

Nucleic acid sequences comprising one or more nucleotide deletions, insertions or substitutions relative to the wild type nucleic acid sequences are another embodiment of the invention, as are fragments of such mutant nucleic acid molecules. Such mutant nucleic acid sequences (referred to as fatB sequences) can be generated and/or identified using various known methods, as described further below. Again, such nucleic acid molecules are provided both in endogenous form and in isolated form. In one embodiment, the mutation(s) result in one or more changes (deletions, insertions and/or substitutions) in the amino acid sequence of the encoded FATB protein (i.e. it is not a “silent mutation”). In another embodiment, the mutation(s) in the nucleic acid sequence result in a significantly reduced or completely abolished biological activity of the encoded FATB protein relative to the wild type protein.

The nucleic acid molecules may, thus, comprise one or more mutations, such as:

-   (a) a “missense mutation”, which is a change in the nucleic acid     sequence that results in the substitution of an amino acid for     another amino acid; -   (b) a “nonsense mutation” or “STOP codon mutation”, which is a     change in the nucleic acid sequence that results in the introduction     of a premature STOP codon and thus the termination of translation     (resulting in a truncated protein); plant genes contain the     translation stop codons “TGA” (UGA in RNA), “TAA” (UAA in RNA) and     “TAG” (UAG in RNA); thus any nucleotide substitution, insertion,     deletion which results in one of these codons to be in the mature     mRNA being translated (in the reading frame) will terminate     translation. -   (c) an “insertion mutation” of one or more amino acids, due to one     or more codons having been added in the coding sequence of the     nucleic acid; -   (d) a “deletion mutation” of one or more amino acids, due to one or     more codons having been deleted in the coding sequence of the     nucleic acid; -   (e) a “frameshift mutation”, resulting in the nucleic acid sequence     being translated in a different frame downstream of the mutation. A     frameshift mutation can have various causes, such as the insertion,     deletion or duplication of one or more nucleotides, but also     mutations which affect pre-mRNA splicing (splice site mutations) can     result in frameshifts; -   (f) a “splice site mutation”, which alters or abolishes the correct     splicing of the pre-mRNA sequence, resulting in a protein of     different amino acid sequence than the wild type. For example, one     or more exons may be skipped during RNA splicing, resulting in a     protein lacking the amino acids encoded by the skipped exons.     Alternatively, the reading frame may be altered through incorrect     splicing, or one or more introns may be retained, or alternate     splice donors or acceptors may be generated, or splicing may be     initiated at an alternate position (e.g. within an intron), or     alternate polyadenylation signals may be generated. Correct pre-mRNA     splicing is a complex process, which can be affected by various     mutations in the nucleotide sequence of the FATB-encoding gene. In     higher eukaryotes, such as plants, the major spliceosome splices     introns containing GU at the 5′ splice site (donor site) and AG at     the 3′ splice site (acceptor site). This GU-AG rule (or GT-AG rule;     see Lewin, Genes VI, Oxford University Press 1998, pp 885-920,     ISBN 0198577788) is followed in about 99% of splice sites of nuclear     eukaryotic genes, while introns containing other dinucleotides at     the 5′ and 3′ splice site, such as GC-AG and AU-AC account for only     about 1% and 0.1% respectively.

As already mentioned, it is desired that the mutation(s) in the nucleic acid sequence preferably result in a mutant protein comprising significantly reduced or no enzymatic activity in vivo. Basically, any mutation which results in a protein comprising at least one amino acid insertion, deletion and/or substitution relative to the wild type protein can lead to significantly reduced or no enzymatic activity. It is, however, understood that mutations in certain parts of the protein are more likely to result in a reduced function of the mutant FATB protein, such as mutations leading to truncated proteins, whereby significant portions of the functional domains, such as the catalytic domain, are lacking.

The FATB proteins of Brassica described herein are about 412-424 amino acids in length and comprise a number of structural (and functional) domains. These include the following: An N-terminal plastid target peptide of about 60 amino acids followed by a hydrophobic region about 18 amino acids (proposed to form a helical trans-membrane anchor). This N-terminal part of roughly about 90 amino acids in total is followed by what constitutes the mature FATS protein (starting with the N-terminal amino acids LPDWSM (SEQ ID NO: 103)). It contains a tandem repeat of a helix/4-stranded sheet domain (“HEEEE” or “4HBT” domain, also “hot dog motif) separated by a linker region (Mayer and Shanklin, 2005, J. Biol. Chem. 280(5): 3621-3627). The first (N-terminal) helix/4-stranded sheet domain (which is encoded by a part of exon 1, the whole of exon 2 and 3 and a part of exon 4) comprises amino acid residues that are thought to affect substrate specificity, in particular two conserved methionines (Met or M), a conserved lysine (Lys or K), a conserved valine (Val or V), and a conserved serine (Ser or S) (Mayer and Shanklin, 2007, BMC Plant Biology 7(1):1-11) and the second (C-terminal) helix/4-stranded sheet domain (encoded largely by exon 5) comprises catalytic amino acid residues, in particular a papain-like catalytic triad of a conserved asparagine (Asn or N), a conserved histidine (His or H) residue and a conserved cysteine (Cys or C). The catalytic triad is located within the second helix/4-stranded sheet domain, encoded by exon 5 of the protein. The second HEEEE domain comprises further amino acid residues that are thought to affect substrate specificity, in particular a conserved tryptophan (Trp or W) (Mayer and Shanklin, 2007, supra).

TABLE 1a WOSR FATB proteins - amino acids (aa) regions and positions FATB-A1 FATB-A2 FATB-A3 FATB-C1 FATB-C2 FATB-C3 AtFATB SEQ ID: 2 SEQ ID: 4 SEQ ID: 6 SEQ ID: 8 SEQ ID: 10 SEQ ID: 12 SEQ ID: 80 Protein size 414 424 415 412 415 415 412 (aa) N-terminal  1-90  1-90  1-91  1-88  1-90  1-91  1-88 Mature  91-414  91-424  92-415  89-412  91-415  92-415  89-412 protein aa encoded  1-168  1-168  1-169  1-166  1-168  1-169  1-166 by exon 1 aa encoded 169-213 169-213 170-214 167-211 169-213 170-214 167-211 by exon 2 aa encoded 214-251 214-251 215-252 212-249 214-251 215-252 212-249 by exon 3 aa encoded 252-308 252-308 253-309 250-306 252-308 253-309 250-306 by exon 4 aa encoded 309-414 309-424 310-415 307-412 309-415 310-415 207-412 by exon 5 4HBT 140-277 140-277 141-278 138-275 140-277 141-278 138-275 linker 278-302 278-302 279-303 276-300 278-302 279-303 276-300 4HBT 303-407 303-407 304-408 301-405 303-407 304-408 301-405 Conserved Met (M) 164 164 165 162 164 165 162 Lys (K) 176 176 177 174 176 177 174 Val (V) 200 200 201 198 200 201 198 Met (M) 231 231 232 229 231 232 229 Ser (S) 264 264 265 262 264 265 262 Trp (W) 311 311 312 309 311 312 309 Asn (N) 317 317 318 315 317 318 315 His (H) 319 319 320 317 319 320 317 Cys (C) 354 354 355 352 354 355 352

TABLE 1b SOSR FATB proteins - amino acid (aa) regions and positions FATB-A1 FATB-A2 FATB-A3 FATB-C1 FATB-C2 FATB-C3 SEQ ID: 14 SEQ ID: 16 SEQ ID: 18 SEQ ID: 20 SEQ ID: 22 SEQ ID: 24 Protein size 413 415 415 412 415 415 (aa) N-terminal  1-89  1-90  1-91  1-88  1-90  1-91 Mature  90-413  91-415  92-415  89-412  91-415  92-415 protein aa encoded  1-167  1-168  1-169  1-166  1-168  1-169 by exon 1 aa encoded 168-212 169-213 170-214 167-211 169-213 170-214 by exon 2 aa encoded 213-250 214-251 215-252 212-249 214-251 215-252 by exon 3 aa encoded 251-307 252-308 253-309 250-306 252-308 253-309 by exon 4 aa encoded 308-413 309-415 310-415 307-412 309-415 310-415 by exon 5 4HBT 139-276 140-277 141-278 138-275 140-277 141-278 linker 277-301 278-302 279-303 276-300 278-302 279-303 4HBT 302-406 303-407 304-408 301-405 303-407 304-408 Conserved Met (M) 163 164 165 162 164 165 Lys (K) 175 176 177 174 176 177 Val (V) 199 200 201 198 200 201 Met (M) 230 231 232 229 231 232 Ser (S) 263 264 265 262 264 265 Trp (W) 310 311 312 309 311 312 Asn (N) 316 317 318 315 317 318 His (H) 318 319 320 317 319 320 Cys (C) 353 354 355 352 354 355

Thus in one embodiment, nucleic acid sequences comprising one or more of any of the types of mutations described above are provided. In another embodiment, fatB sequences comprising one or more deletion mutations, one or more stop codon (nonsense) mutations and/or one or more splice site mutations are provided. Any of the above mutant nucleic acid sequences are provided per se (in isolated form), as are plants and plant parts comprising such sequences endogenously.

A deletion mutation in a FATB allele, as used herein, is a mutation in a FATB allele whereby at least 1, at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 or more bases are deleted from the corresponding wild type FATB allele, and whereby the deletion results in the mutant FATB allele being transcribed and translated into a mutant protein which has significantly reduced or no activity in vivo. A deletion may lead to a frameshift and/or it may introduce a premature stop codon, or may lead to one amino acid or more amino acids (e.g. large parts) of coding sequence being removed, etc. The exact underlying molecular basis by which the deletion results in a mutant protein having significantly reduced biological activity is not important. Also provided herein are plants and plant parts in which specific FATB alleles are completely deleted, i.e. plants and plant parts lacking one or more FATB alleles.

A nonsense mutation in a FATB allele, as used herein, is a mutation in a FATB allele whereby one or more translation stop codons are introduced into the coding DNA and the corresponding mRNA sequence of the corresponding wild type FATB allele. Translation stop codons are TGA (UGA in the mRNA), TAA (UAA) and TAG (UAG). Thus, any mutation (deletion, insertion or substitution) which leads to the generation of an in-frame stop codon in the coding sequence (exon sequence) will result in termination of translation and truncation of the amino acid chain. In one embodiment, a mutant FATB allele comprising a nonsense mutation is a FATB allele wherein an in-frame stop codon is introduced in the FATB codon sequence by a single nucleotide substitution, such as the mutation of CAG to TAG, TGG to TAG, TGG to TGA, or CGA to TGA. In another embodiment, a mutant FATB allele comprising a nonsense mutation is a FATB allele wherein an in-frame stop codon is introduced in the FATB codon sequence by double nucleotide substitutions, such as the mutation of CAG to TAA, TGG to TAA, CGG to TAG or TGA, CGA to TAA. In yet another embodiment, a mutant FATB allele comprising a nonsense mutation is a FATB allele wherein an in-frame stop codon is introduced in the FATB codon sequence by triple nucleotide substitutions, such as the mutation of CGG to TAA. The truncated protein lacks the amino acids encoded by the coding DNA downstream of the mutation (i.e. the C-terminal part of the FATB protein) and maintains the amino acids encoded by the coding DNA upstream of the mutation (i.e. the N-terminal part of the FATB protein). In one embodiment, the nonsense mutation is present anywhere in front of the conserved Cys residue of the catalytic triad, so that at least the conserved Cys residue is lacking, resulting in significantly reduced activity of the truncated protein. The more truncated the mutant protein is in comparison to the wild type protein, the more likely it is that it will lack any enzymatic activity. Thus in another embodiment, a mutant FATB allele comprising a nonsense mutation which result in a truncated protein of less than 350 amino acids (lacking the conserved Cys), less than 315 amino acids (lacking all three conserved amino acids from the papain-like catalytic triad), less than 300 amino acids (lacking the second 4HBT domain), less than 262 amino acids (lacking the conserved Ser), less than 229 amino acids (lacking the second conserved Met), less than 198 amino acids (lacking the conserved Val), less than 174 amino acids (lacking the conserved Lys), less than 162 amino acids (lacking the first conserved Met), or even less amino acids in length are provided. In yet another embodiment, the nonsense mutation results in one or more exons not being translated into protein, such as exon 5, exons 4 and 5, exons 3-5, or even more.

The Tables herein below describe a range of possible nonsense mutations in the Brassica napus sequences provided herein:

TABLE 2a Potential STOP codon mutations in FATB-A1 (WOSR, SEQ ID NO: 1 and 2) Amino Exon acid Nucleotide Wild type → number position position mutant codon exon 1 53  157 cag → tag exon 1  157 + 159 cag → taa exon 1 79  235 cag → tag exon 1  235 + 237 cag → taa exon 1 90  268 cag → tag exon 1  268 + 270 cag → taa exon 1 94  281 tgg → tag exon 1  282 tgg → tga exon 1  281 + 282 tgg → taa exon 1 111  331 cag → tag exon 1  331 + 333 cag → taa exon 1 112  335 tgg → tag exon 1  336 tgg → tga exon 1  335 + 336 tgg → taa exon 1 117  350 tgg → tag exon 1  351 tgg → tga exon 1  350 + 351 tgg → taa exon 1 136  406 cag → tag exon 1  406 + 408 cag → taa exon 1 143  427 cag → tag exon 1  427 + 429 cag → taa exon 1 148  442 + 443 cgg → tag exon 1  442 + 444 cgg → tga exon 1  442 + 443 + cgg → taa  444 exon 1 168  502 cag → tag exon 1  502 + 504 cag → taa exon 2 198  678 tgg → tag exon 2  679 tgg → tga exon 2  678 + 679 tgg → taa exon 2 204  695 cag → tag exon 2  695 + 697 cag → taa exon 2 213  723 tgg → tag exon 3  798 tgg → tga exon 2-3  723 + 798 tgg → taa exon 3 222  824 tgg → tag exon 3  825 tgg → tga exon 3  824 + 825 tgg → taa exon 3 225  832 cag → tag exon 3  832 + 834 cag → taa exon 3 235  863 tgg → tag exon 3  864 tgg → tga exon 3  863 + 864 tgg → taa exon 3 238  871 cga → tga exon 3  871 + 872 cga → taa exon 4 253  986 tgg → tag exon 4  987 tgg → tga exon 4  986 + 987 tgg → taa exon 4 271 1039 cga → tga exon 4 1039 + 1040 cga → taa exon 5 311 1250 tgg → tag exon 5 1251 tgg → tga exon 5 1250 + 1251 tgg → taa exon 5 318 1270 cag → tag exon 5 1270 + 1272 cag → taa exon 5 328 1301 tgg → tag exon 5 1302 tgg → tga exon 5 1301 + 1302 tgg → taa exon 5 341 1339 cag → tag exon 5 1339 + 1341 cag → taa exon 5 361 1399 cag → tag exon 5 1399 + 401 cag → taa exon 5 383 1465 cag → tag exon 5 1465 + 1467 cag → taa exon 5 389 1483 cag → tag exon 5 1483 + 1485 cag → taa exon 5 401 1520 tgg → tag exon 5 1521 tgg → tga exon 5 1520 + 1521 tgg → taa exon 5 410 1547 tgg → tag exon 5 1548 tgg → tga exon 5 1547 + 1548 tgg → taa

TABLE 2b Potential STOP codon mutations in FATB-A1 (SOSR, SEQ ID NO: 13 and 14) Amino Exon acid Nucleotide Wild type → number position position mutant codon exon 1 53  157 cag → tag exon 1  157 + 159 cag → taa exon 1 78  232 cag → tag exon 1  232 + 234 cag → taa exon 1 89  265 cag → tag exon 1  265 + 267 cag → taa exon 1 93  278 tgg → tag exon 1  279 tgg → tga exon 1  278 + 279 tgg → taa exon 1 110  328 cag → tag exon 1  328 + 330 cag → taa exon 1 111  332 tgg → tag exon 1  333 tgg → tga exon 1  332 + 333 tgg → taa exon 1 116  347 tgg → tag exon 1  348 tgg → tga exon 1  347 + 348 tgg → taa exon 1 135  403 cag → tag exon 1  403 + 405 cag → taa exon 1 142  424 cag → tag exon 1  424 + 426 cag → taa exon 1 147  439 + 440 cgg → tag exon 1  439 + 441 cgg → tga exon 1  439 + 440  + cgg → taa  441 exon 1 167  499 cag → tag exon 1  499 + 501 cag → taa exon 2 197  675 tgg → tag exon 2  676 tgg → tga exon 2  675 + 676 tgg → taa exon 2 203  692 cag → tag exon 2  692 + 694 cag → taa exon 2 212  720 tgg → tag exon 3  795 tgg → tga exon 2-3  720 + 795 tgg → taa exon 3 221  821 tgg → tag exon 3  822 tgg → tga exon 3  821 + 822 tgg → taa exon 3 224  829 cag → tag exon 3  829 + 831 cag → taa exon 3 234  860 tgg → tag exon 3  861 tgg → tga exon 3  860 + 861 tgg → taa exon 3 237  868 cga → tga exon 3  868 + 869 cga → taa exon 4 252  983 tgg → tag exon 4  984 tgg → tga exon 4  983 + 984 tgg → taa exon 4 270 1036 cga → tga exon 4 1036 + 1037 cga → taa exon 5 310 1247 tgg → tag exon 5 1248 tgg → tga exon 5 1247 + 1248 tgg → taa exon 5 317 1267 cag → tag exon 5 1267 + 1269 cag → taa exon 5 327 1298 tgg → tag exon 5 1299 tgg → tga exon 5 1298 + 1299 tgg → taa exon 5 340 1336 cag → tag exon 5 1336 + 1338 cag → taa exon 5 360 1396 cag → tag exon 5 1396 + 1398 cag → taa exon 5 382 1462 cag → tag exon 5 1462 + 1464 cag → taa exon 5 388 1480 cag → tag exon 5 1480 + 1482 cag → taa exon 5 400 1517 tgg → tag exon 5 1518 tgg → tga exon 5 1517 + 1518 tgg → taa exon 5 409 1544 tgg → tag exon 5 1545 tgg → tga exon 5 1544 + 1545 tgg → taa

TABLE 3a Potential STOP codon mutations in FATB-A2 (WOSR, SEQ ID NO: 3 and 4) Amino Exon acid Nucleotide Wild type → number position position mutant codon exon 1  52  154 cag → tag exon 1  154 + 156 cag → taa exon 1  79  235 cag → tag exon 1  235 + 237 cag → taa exon 1  90  268 cag → tag exon 1  268 + 270 cag → taa exon 1  94  281 tgg → tag exon 1  282 tgg → tga exon 1  281 + 282 tgg → taa exon 1 111  331 cag → tag exon 1  331 + 333 cag → taa exon 1 112  335 tgg → tag exon 1  336 tgg → tga exon 1  335 + 336 tgg → taa exon 1 117  350 tgg → tag exon 1  351 tgg → tga exon 1  350 + 351 tgg → taa exon 1 136  406 cag → tag exon 1  406 + 408 cag → taa exon 1 143  427 cag → tag exon 1  427 + 429 cag → taa exon 1 168  502 cag → tag exon 1  502 + 504 cag → taa exon 2 198  672 tgg → tag exon 2  673 tgg → tga exon 2  672 + 673 tgg → taa exon 2 204  689 cag → tag exon 2  689 + 691 cag → taa exon 2 213  717 tgg → tag exon 3  812 tgg → tga exon 2-3  717 + 812 tgg → taa exon 3 222  838 tgg → tag exon 3  839 tgg → tga exon 3  838 + 839 tgg → taa exon 3 225  846 cag → tag exon 3  846 + 848 cag → taa exon 3 235  877 tgg → tag exon 3  878 tgg → tga exon 3  877 + 878 tgg → taa exon 3 238  885 + 886 cgg → tag exon 3  885 + 887 cgg → tga exon 3  885 + 886 + 887 cgg → taa exon 3 248  915 cga → tga exon 3  915 + 916 cga → taa exon 4 253 1064 tgg → tag exon 4 1065 tgg → tga exon 4 1064 + 1065 tgg → taa exon 4 271 1117 cga → tga exon 4 1117 + 1118 cga → taa exon 5 311 1316 tgg → tag exon 5 1317 tgg → tga exon 5 1316 + 1317 tgg → taa exon 5 318 1336 cag → tag exon 5 1336 + 1338 cag → taa exon 5 328 1367 tgg → tag exon 5 1368 tgg → tga exon 5 1367 + 1368 tgg → taa exon 5 341 1405 cag → tag exon 5 1405 + 1407 cag → taa exon 5 361 1465 cag → tag exon 5 1465 + 1467 cag → taa exon 5 383 1531 cag → tag exon 5 1531 + 1533 cag → taa exon 5 387 1543 cga → tga exon 5 1543 + 1544 cga → taa exon 5 389 1549 cag → tag exon 5 1549 + 1551 cag → taa exon 5 401 1586 tgg → tag exon 5 1587 tgg → tga exon 5 1586 + 1587 tgg → taa exon 5 404 1594 cag → tag exon 5 1594 + 1596 cag → taa exon 5 410 1613 tgg → tag exon 5 1614 tgg → tga exon 5 1613 + 1614 tgg → taa

TABLE 3b Potential STOP codon mutations in FATB-A2 (SOSR, SEQ ID NO: 15 and 16) Amino Exon acid Nucleotide Wild type → number position position mutant codon exon 1  52  154 cag → tag exon 1  154 + 156 cag → taa exon 1  79  235 cag → tag exon 1  235 + 237 cag → taa exon 1  90  268 cag → tag exon 1  268 + 270 cag → taa exon 1  94  281 tgg → tag exon 1  282 tgg → tga exon 1  281 + 282 tgg → taa exon 1 111  331 cag → tag exon 1  331 + 333 cag → taa exon 1 112  335 tgg → tag exon 1  336 tgg → tga exon 1  335 + 336 tgg → taa exon 1 117  350 tgg → tag exon 1  351 tgg → tga exon 1  350 + 351 tgg → taa exon 1 136  406 cag → tag exon 1  406 + 408 cag → taa exon 1 143  427 cag → tag exon 1  427 + 429 cag → taa exon 1 168  502 cag → tag exon 1  502 + 504 cag → taa exon 2 198  672 tgg → tag exon 2  673 tgg → tga exon 2  672 + 673 tgg → taa exon 2 204  689 cag → tag exon 2  689 + 691 cag → taa exon 2 213  717 tgg → tag exon 3  812 tgg → tga exon 2-3  717 + 812 tgg → taa exon 3 222  838 tgg → tag exon 3  839 tgg → tga exon 3  838 + 839 tgg → taa exon 3 225  846 cag → tag exon 3  846 + 848 cag → taa exon 3 235  877 tgg → tag exon 3  878 tgg → tga exon 3  877 + 878 tgg → taa exon 3 238  885 + 886 cgg → tag exon 3  885 + 887 cgg → tga exon 3  885 + 886 + 887 cgg → taa exon 3 248  915 cga → tga exon 3  915 + 916 cga → taa exon 4 253 1064 tgg → tag exon 4 1065 tgg → tga exon 4 1064 + 1065 tgg → taa exon 4 271 1117 cga → tga exon 4 1117 + 1118 cga → taa exon 5 311 1316 tgg → tag exon 5 1317 tgg → tga exon 5 1316 + 1317 tgg → taa exon 5 318 1336 cag → tag exon 5 1336 + 1338 cag → taa exon 5 328 1367 tgg → tag exon 5 1368 tgg → tga exon 5 1367 + 1368 tgg → taa exon 5 341 1405 cag → tag exon 5 1405 + 1407 cag → taa exon 5 361 1465 cag → tag exon 5 1465 + 1467 cag → taa exon 5 383 1531 cag → tag exon 5 1531 + 1533 cag → taa exon 5 387 1543 cga → tga exon 5 1543 + 1544 cga → taa exon 5 389 1549 cag → tag exon 5 1549 + 1551 cag → taa exon 5 401 1586 tgg → tag exon 5 1587 tgg → tga exon 5 1586 + 1587 tgg → taa exon 5 410 1613 tgg → tag exon 5 1614 tgg → tga exon 5 1613 + 1614 tgg → taa

TABLE 4a Potential STOP codon mutations in FATB-A3 (WOSR, SEQ ID NO: 5 and 6) Amino Exon acid Nucleotide Wild type → number position position mutant codon exon 1  52  154 caa → taa exon 1  81  241 caa → taa exon 1  82  244 caa → taa exon 1  91  271 cag → tag exon 1  271 + 273 cag → taa exon 1  95  284 tgg → tag exon 1  285 tgg → tga exon 1  284 + 285 tgg → taa exon 1 112  334 cag → tag exon 1  334 + 336 cag → taa exon 1 113  338 tgg → tag exon 1  339 tgg → tga exon 1  338 + 339 tgg → taa exon 1 137  409 cag → tag exon 1  409 + 411 cag → taa exon 1 144  430 cag → tag exon 1  430 + 432 cag → taa exon 1 169  505 cag → tag exon 1  505 + 507 cag → taa exon 2 199  828 tgg → tag exon 2  829 tgg → tga exon 2  828 + 829 tgg → taa exon 2 205  845 cag → tag exon 2  845 + 847 cag → taa exon 2 214  873 tgg → tag exon 3  947 tgg → tga exon 2-3  873 + 947 tgg → taa exon 3 223  973 tgg → tag exon 3  974 tgg → tga exon 3  973 + 974 tgg → taa exon 3 236 1012 tgg → tag exon 3 1013 tgg → tga exon 3 1012 + 1013 tgg → taa exon 3 239 1020 + 1021 cgg → tag exon 3 1020 + 1022 cgg → tga exon 3 1020 + 1021 + 1022 cgg → taa exon 4 254 1146 tgg → tag exon 4 1147 tgg → tga exon 4 1146 + 1147 tgg → taa exon 4 272 1199 cga → tga exon 4 1199 + 1200 cga → taa exon 5 312 1420 tgg → tag exon 5 1421 tgg → tga exon 5 1420 + 1421 tgg → taa exon 5 319 1440 cag → tag exon 5 1440 + 1442 cag → taa exon 5 329 1471 tgg → tag exon 5 1472 tgg → tga exon 5 1471 + 1472 tgg → taa exon 5 362 1569 cag → tag exon 5 1569 + 1571 cag → taa exon 5 384 1635 cag → tag exon 5 1635 + 1637 cag → taa exon 5 388 1647 cga → tga exon 5 1647 + 1648 cga → taa exon 5 390 1653 cag → tag exon 5 1653 + 1655 cag → taa exon 5 399 1680 cga → tga exon 5 1680 + 1681 cga → taa exon 5 402 1690 tgg → tag exon 5 1691 tgg → tga exon 5 1690 + 1691 tgg → taa exon 5 411 1717 tgg → tag exon 5 1718 tgg → tga exon 5 1717 + 1718 tgg → taa

TABLE 4b Potential STOP codon mutations in FATB-A3 (SOSR, SEQ ID NO: 17 and 18) Amino Exon acid Nucleotide Wild type → number position position mutant codon exon 1  52  154 cag → tag exon 1  154 + 156 cag → taa exon 1  81  241 caa → taa exon 1  82  244 caa → taa exon 1  91  271 cag → tag exon 1  271 + 273 cag → taa exon 1  95  284 tgg → tag exon 1  285 tgg → tga exon 1  284 + 285 tgg → taa exon 1 112  334 cag → tag exon 1  334 + 336 cag → taa exon 1 113  338 tgg → tag exon 1  339 tgg → tga exon 1  338 + 339 tgg → taa exon 1 137  409 cag → tag exon 1  409 + 411 cag → taa exon 1 144  430 cag → tag exon 1  430 + 432 cag → taa exon 1 169  505 cag → tag exon 1  505 + 507 cag → taa exon 2 199  828 tgg → tag exon 2  829 tgg → tga exon 2  828 + 829 tgg → taa exon 2 205  845 cag → tag exon 2  845 + 847 cag → taa exon 2 214  873 tgg → tag exon 3  947 tgg → tga exon 2-3  873 + 947 tgg → taa exon 3 223  973 tgg → tag exon 3  974 tgg → tga exon 3  973 + 974 tgg → taa exon 3 236 1012 tgg → tag exon 3 1013 tgg → tga exon 3 1012 + 1013 tgg → taa exon 4 254 1144 tgg → tag exon 4 1145 tgg → tga exon 4 1144 + 1145 tgg → taa exon 4 272 1197 cga → tga exon 4 1197 + 1198 cga → taa exon 5 312 1402 tgg → tag exon 5 1403 tgg → tga exon 5 1402 + 1402 tgg → taa exon 5 319 1422 cag → tag exon 5 1422 + 1424 cag → taa exon 5 329 1453 tgg → tag exon 5 1454 tgg → tga exon 5 1453 + 1454 tgg → taa exon 5 362 1551 cag → tag exon 5 1551 + 1553 cag → taa exon 5 384 1617 cag → tag exon 5 1617 + 1619 cag → taa exon 5 388 1629 cga → tga exon 5 1629 + 1630 cga → taa exon 5 390 1635 cag → tag exon 5 1635 + 1637 cag → taa exon 5 399 1662 cga → tga exon 5 1662 + 1663 cga → taa exon 5 402 1672 tgg → tag exon 5 1673 tgg → tga exon 5 1672 + 1673 tgg → taa exon 5 411 1699 tgg → tag exon 5 1700 tgg → tga exon 5 1699 + 1700 tgg → taa

TABLE 5a Potential STOP codon mutations in FATB-C1 (WOSR, SEQ ID NO: 7 and 8) Amino Exon acid Nucleotide Wild type → number position position mutant codon exon 1  52  154 cag → tag exon 1  154 + 156 cag → taa exon 1  79  235 caa → taa exon 1  88  262 cag → tag exon 1  262 + 264 cag → taa exon 1  92  275 tgg → tag exon 1  276 tgg → tga exon 1  275 + 276 tgg → taa exon 1 109  325 cag → tag exon 1  325 + 327 cag → taa exon 1 110  329 tgg → tag exon 1  330 tgg → tga exon 1  329 + 330 tgg → taa exon 1 115  344 tgg → tag exon 1  345 tgg → tga exon 1  344 + 345 tgg → taa exon 1 134  400 cag → tag exon 1  400 + 402 cag → taa exon 1 141  421 cag → tag exon 1  421 + 423 cag → taa exon 1 146  436 + 437 cgg → tag exon 1  436 + 438 cgg → tga exon 1  436 + 437 + 438 cgg → taa exon 1 166  496 cag → tag exon 1  496 + 498 cag → taa exon 2 196  667 tgg → tag exon 2  668 tgg → tga exon 2  667 + 668 tgg → taa exon 2 202  684 cag → tag exon 2  684 + 686 cag → taa exon 2 211  712 tgg → tag exon 3  791 tgg → tga exon 2-3  712 + 791 tgg → taa exon 3 220  817 tgg → tag exon 3  818 tgg → tga exon 3  817 + 818 tgg → taa exon 3 223  825 cag → tag exon 3  825 + 827 cag → taa exon 3 233  856 tgg → tag exon 3  857 tgg → tga exon 3  856 + 857 tgg → taa exon 3 236  864 cga → tga exon 3  864 + 865 cga → taa exon 4 251 1000 tgg → tag exon 4 1001 tgg → tga exon 4 1000 + 1001 tgg → taa exon 4 269 1053 cga → tga exon 4 1053 + 1054 cga → taa exon 5 309 1259 tgg → tag exon 5 1260 tgg → tga exon 5 1259 + 1260 tgg → taa exon 5 316 1279 cag → tag exon 5 1279 + 1281 cag → taa exon 5 326 1310 tgg → tag exon 5 1311 tgg → tga exon 5 1310 + 1311 tgg → taa exon 5 339 1348 cag → tag exon 5 1348 + 1350 cag → taa exon 5 359 1408 cag → tag exon 5 1408 + 1410 cag → taa exon 5 381 1474 cag → tag exon 5 1474 + 1476 cag → taa exon 5 387 1492 cag → tag exon 5 1492 + 1494 cag → taa exon 5 399 1529 tgg → tag exon 5 1530 tgg → tga exon 5 1529 + 1530 tgg → taa exon 5 408 1556 tgg → tag exon 5 1567 tgg → tga exon 5 1556 + 1557 tgg → taa

TABLE 5b Potential STOP codon mutations in FATB-C1 (SOSR, SEQ ID NO: 19 and 20) Amino Exon acid Nucleotide Wild type → number position position mutant codon exon 1  52  154 cag → tag exon 1  154 + 156 cag → taa exon 1  79  235 caa → taa exon 1  88  262 cag → tag exon 1  262 + 264 cag → taa exon 1  92  275 tgg → tag exon 1  276 tgg → tga exon 1  275 + 276 tgg → taa exon 1 109  325 cag → tag exon 1  325 + 327 cag → taa exon 1 110  329 tgg → tag exon 1  330 tgg → tga exon 1  329 + 330 tgg → taa exon 1 115  344 tgg → tag exon 1  345 tgg → tga exon 1  344 + 345 tgg → taa exon 1 134  400 cag → tag exon 1  400 + 402 cag → taa exon 1 141  421 cag → tag exon 1  421 + 423 cag → taa exon 1 146  436 + 437 cgg → tag exon 1  436 + 438 cgg → tga exon 1  436 + 437 + 438 cgg → taa exon 1 166  496 cag → tag exon 1  496 + 498 cag → taa exon 2 196  667 tgg → tag exon 2  668 tgg → tga exon 2  667 + 668 tgg → taa exon 2 202  684 cag → tag exon 2  684 + 686 cag → taa exon 2 211  712 tgg → tag exon 3  791 tgg → tga exon 2-3  712 + 791 tgg → taa exon 3 220  817 tgg → tag exon 3  818 tgg → tga exon 3  817 + 818 tgg → taa exon 3 223  825 cag → tag exon 3  825 + 827 cag → taa exon 3 233  856 tgg → tag exon 3  857 tgg → tga exon 3  856 + 857 tgg → taa exon 3 236  864 cga → tga exon 3  864 + 865 cga → taa exon 4 251 1000 tgg → tag exon 4 1001 tgg → tga exon 4 1000 + 1001 tgg → taa exon 4 269 1053 cga → tga exon 4 1053 + 1054 cga → taa exon 5 309 1259 tgg → tag exon 5 1260 tgg → tga exon 5 1259 + 1260 tgg → taa exon 5 316 1279 cag → tag exon 5 1279 + 1281 cag → taa exon 5 326 1309 tgg → tag exon 5 1310 tgg → tga exon 5 1309 + 1310 tgg → taa exon 5 339 1348 cag → tag exon 5 1348 + 1350 cag → taa exon 5 359 1408 cag → tag exon 5 1408 + 1410 cag → taa exon 5 381 1474 cag → tag exon 5 1474 + 1476 cag → taa exon 5 387 1492 cag → tag exon 5 1492 + 1494 cag → taa exon 5 399 1529 tgg → tag exon 5 1530 tgg → tga exon 5 1529 + 1530 tgg → taa exon 5 408 1556 tgg → tag exon 5 1557 tgg → tga exon 5 1556 + 1557 tgg → taa

TABLE 6a Potential STOP codon mutations in FATB-C2 (WOSR, SEQ ID NO: 9 and 10) Amino Exon acid Nucleotide Wild type → number position position mutant codon exon 1  52  154 cag → tag exon 1  154 + 156 cag → taa exon 1  79  235 cag → tag exon 1  235 + 237 cag → taa exon 1  90  268 cag → tag exon 1  268 + 270 cag → taa exon 1  94  281 tgg → tag exon 1  282 tgg → tga exon 1  281 + 282 tgg → taa exon 1 111  331 cag → tag exon 1  331 + 333 cag → taa exon 1 112  335 tgg → tag exon 1  336 tgg → tga exon 1  335 + 336 tgg → taa exon 1 117  350 tgg → tag exon 1  351 tgg → tga exon 1  350 + 351 tgg → taa exon 1 136  406 cag → tag exon 1  406 + 408 cag → taa exon 1 143  427 cag → tag exon 1  427 + 429 cag → taa exon 1 168  502 cag → tag exon 1  502 + 504 cag → taa exon 2 198  669 tgg → tag exon 2  670 tgg → tga exon 2  669 + 670 tgg → taa exon 2 204  686 cag → tag exon 2  686 + 688 cag → taa exon 2 213  714 tgg → tag exon 3  945 tgg → tga exon 2-3  714 + 945 tgg → taa exon 3 222  971 tgg → tag exon 3  972 tgg → tga exon 3  971 + 972 tgg → taa exon 3 225  979 cag → tag exon 3  979 + 981 cag → taa exon 3 235 1010 tgg → tag exon 3 1011 tgg → tga exon 3 1010 + 1011 tgg → taa exon 3 238 1018 + 1019 cgg → tag exon 3 1018 + 1020 cgg → tga exon 3 1018 + 1019 + 1020 cgg → taa exon 3 248 1048 cga → tga exon 3 1048 + 1049 cga → taa exon 4 253 1195 tgg → tag exon 4 1196 tgg → tga exon 4 1195 + 1196 tgg → taa exon 4 271 1248 cga → tga exon 4 1248 + 1249 cga → taa exon 5 311 1454 tgg → tag exon 5 1455 tgg → tga exon 5 1454 + 1455 tgg → taa exon 5 318 1474 cag → tag exon 5 1474 + 1476 cag → taa exon 5 328 1505 tgg → tag exon 5 1506 tgg → tga exon 5 1505 + 1506 tgg → taa exon 5 341 1543 cag → tag exon 5 1543 + 1545 cag → taa exon 5 361 1603 cag → tag exon 5 1603 + 1605 cag → taa exon 5 383 1669 cag → tag exon 5 1669 + 1671 cag → taa exon 5 389 1687 cag → tag exon 5 1687 + 1689 cag → taa exon 5 401 1724 tgg → tag exon 5 1725 tgg → tga exon 5 1724 + 1725 tgg → taa exon 5 410 1751 tgg → tag exon 5 1752 tgg → tga exon 5 1751 + 1752 tgg → taa

TABLE 6b Potential STOP codon mutations in FATB-C2 (SOSR, SEQ ID NO: 21 and 22) Amino Exon acid Nucleotide Wild type → number position position mutant codon exon 1  52  154 cag → tag exon 1  154 + 156 cag → taa exon 1  79  235 cag → tag exon 1  235 + 237 cag → taa exon 1  90  268 cag → tag exon 1  268 + 270 cag → taa exon 1  94  281 tgg → tag exon 1  282 tgg → tga exon 1  281 + 282 tgg → taa exon 1 111  331 cag → tag exon 1  331 + 333 cag → taa exon 1 112  335 tgg → tag exon 1  336 tgg → tga exon 1  335 + 336 tgg → taa exon 1 117  350 tgg → tag exon 1  351 tgg → tga exon 1  350 + 351 tgg → taa exon 1 136  406 cag → tag exon 1  406 + 408 cag → taa exon 1 143  427 cag → tag exon 1  427 + 429 cag → taa exon 1 168  502 cag → tag exon 1  502 + 504 cag → taa exon 2 198  669 tgg → tag exon 2  670 tgg → tga exon 2  669 + 670 tgg → taa exon 2 204  686 cag → tag exon 2  686 + 688 cag → taa exon 2 213  714 tgg → tag exon 3  945 tgg → tga exon 2-3  714 + 945 tgg → taa exon 3 222  971 tgg → tag exon 3  972 tgg → tga exon 3  971 + 972 tgg → taa exon 3 225  979 cag → tag exon 3  979 + 981 cag → taa exon 3 235 1010 tgg → tag exon 3 1011 tgg → tga exon 3 1010 + 1011 tgg → taa exon 3 238 1018 + 1019 cgg → tag exon 3 1018 + 1020 cgg → tga exon 3 1018 + 1019 + 1020 cgg → taa exon 3 248 1048 cga → tga exon 3 1048 + 1049 cga → taa exon 4 253 1195 tgg → tag exon 4 1196 tgg → tga exon 4 1195 + 1196 tgg → taa exon 4 271 1248 cga → tga exon 4 1248 + 1249 cga → taa exon 5 311 1454 tgg → tag exon 5 1455 tgg → tga exon 5 1454 + 1455 tgg → taa exon 5 318 1474 cag → tag exon 5 1474 + 1476 cag → taa exon 5 328 1505 tgg → tag exon 5 1506 tgg → tga exon 5 1505 + 1506 tgg → taa exon 5 341 1543 cag → tag exon 5 1543 + 1545 cag → taa exon 5 361 1603 cag → tag exon 5 1603 + 1605 cag → taa exon 5 383 1669 cag → tag exon 5 1669 + 1671 cag → taa exon 5 389 1687 cag → tag exon 5 1687 + 1689 cag → taa exon 5 401 1724 tgg → tag exon 5 1725 tgg → tga exon 5 1724 + 1725 tgg → taa exon 5 410 1751 tgg → tag exon 5 1752 tgg → tga exon 5 1751 + 1752 tgg → taa

TABLE 7a Potential STOP codon mutations in FATB-C3 (WOSR, SEQ ID NO: 11 and 12) Amino Exon acid Nucleotide Wild type → number position position mutant codon exon 1  52  154 caa → taa exon 1  81  241 caa → taa exon 1  82  244 caa → taa exon 1  91  271 cag → tag exon 1  271 + 273 cag → taa exon 1  95  284 tgg → tag exon 1  285 tgg → tga exon 1  284 + 285 tgg → taa exon 1 112  334 cag → tag exon 1  334 + 336 cag → taa exon 1 113  338 tgg → tag exon 1  339 tgg → tga exon 1  338 + 339 tgg → taa exon 1 137  409 cag → tag exon 1  409 + 411 cag → taa exon 1 144  430 cag → tag exon 1  430 + 432 cag → taa exon 1 169  505 cag → tag exon 1  505 + 507 cag → taa exon 2 199 1018 tgg → tag exon 2 1019 tgg → tga exon 2 1018 + 1019 tgg → taa exon 2 205 1035 cag → tag exon 2 1035 + 1037 cag → taa exon 2 214 1063 tgg → tag exon 3 1138 tgg → tga exon 2-3 1063 + 1138 tgg → taa exon 3 223 1164 tgg → tag exon 3 1165 tgg → tga exon 3 1164 + 1165 tgg → taa exon 3 236 1203 tgg → tag exon 3 1204 tgg → tga exon 3 1203 + 1204 tgg → taa exon 3 239 1211 + 1212 cgg → tag exon 3 1211 + 1213 cgg → tga exon 3 1211 + 1212 + 1213 cgg → taa exon 4 254 1329 tgg → tag exon 4 1330 tgg → tga exon 4 1329 + 1330 tgg → taa exon 4 272 1382 cga → tga exon 4 1382 + 1383 cga → taa exon 5 312 1578 tgg → tag exon 5 1579 tgg → tga exon 5 1578 + 1579 tgg → taa exon 5 319 1598 cag → tag exon 5 1598 + 1600 cag → taa exon 5 329 1629 tgg → tag exon 5 1630 tgg → tga exon 5 1629 + 1630 tgg → taa exon 5 362 1727 cag → tag exon 5 1727 + 1729 cag → taa exon 5 384 1793 cag → tag exon 5 1793 + 1795 cag → taa exon 5 388 1805 cga → tga exon 5 1805 + 1806 cga → taa exon 5 390 1811 cag → tag exon 5 1811 + 1813 cag → taa exon 5 399 1838 cga → tga exon 5 1838 + 1839 cga → taa exon 5 402 1848 tgg → tag exon 5 1849 tgg → tga exon 5 1848 + 1849 tgg → taa exon 5 411 1875 tgg → tag exon 5 1876 tgg → tga exon 5 1875 + 1876 tgg → taa

TABLE 7b Potential STOP codon mutations in FATB-C3 (SOSR, SEQ ID NO: 23 and 24) Amino Exon acid Nucleotide Wild type → number position position mutant codon exon 1  52  154 caa → taa exon 1  81  241 caa → taa exon 1  82  244 caa → taa exon 1  91  271 cag → tag exon 1  271 + 273 cag → taa exon 1  95  284 tgg → tag exon 1  285 tgg → tga exon 1  284 + 285 tgg → taa exon 1 112  334 cag → tag exon 1  334 + 336 cag → taa exon 1 113  338 tgg → tag exon 1  339 tgg → tga exon 1  338 + 339 tgg → taa exon 1 137  409 cag → tag exon 1  409 + 411 cag → taa exon 1 144  430 cag → tag exon 1  430 + 432 cag → taa exon 1 169  505 cag → tag exon 1  505 + 507 cag → taa exon 2 199 1019 tgg → tag exon 2 1020 tgg → tga exon 2 1019 + 1020 tgg → taa exon 2 205 1036 cag → tag exon 2 1036 + 1038 cag → taa exon 2 214 1064 tgg → tag exon 3 1139 tgg → tga exon 2-3 1064 + 1139 tgg → taa exon 3 223 1165 tgg → tag exon 3 1166 tgg → tga exon 3 1165 + 1166 tgg → taa exon 3 236 1204 tgg → tag exon 3 1205 tgg → tga exon 3 1204 + 1205 tgg → taa exon 3 239 1212 + 1213 cgg → tag exon 3 1212 + 1214 cgg → tga exon 3 1212 + 1213 + 1214 cgg → taa exon 4 254 1330 tgg → tag exon 4 1331 tgg → tga exon 4 1330 + 1331 tgg → taa exon 4 272 1383 cga → tga exon 4 1383 + 1384 cga → taa exon 5 312 1579 tgg → tag exon 5 1580 tgg → tga exon 5 1579 + 1580 tgg → taa exon 5 319 1599 cag → tag exon 5 1599 + 1601 cag → taa exon 5 329 1630 tgg → tag exon 5 1631 tgg → tga exon 5 1630 + 1631 tgg → taa exon 5 362 1728 cag → tag exon 5 1728 + 1730 cag → taa exon 5 384 1794 cag → tag exon 5 1794 + 1796 cag → taa exon 5 388 1806 cga → tga exon 5 1806 + 1807 cga → taa exon 5 390 1812 cag → tag exon 5 1812 + 1814 cag → taa exon 5 399 1839 cga → tga exon 5 1839 + 1840 cga → taa exon 5 402 1849 tgg → tag exon 5 1850 tgg → tga exon 5 1849 + 1850 tgg → taa exon 5 411 1876 tgg → tag exon 5 1877 tgg → tga exon 5 1876 + 1877 tgg → taa

Obviously, mutations are not limited to the ones shown in the above tables and it is understood that analogous STOP mutations may be present in fatB alleles other than those depicted in the sequence listing and referred to in the tables above.

A splice site mutation in a FATB allele, as used herein, is a mutation in a FATB allele whereby a mutation in the corresponding wild type FATB allele results in aberrant splicing of the pre-mRNA thereby resulting in a mutant protein having significantly reduced or no activity. The mutation may be in the consensus splice site sequence. For example, the following table describes consensus sequences, which—if mutated—are likely to affect correct splicing. The GT-AG splice sites commonly have other conserved nucleotides, such as 2 highly conserved nucleotides on the 5′ end of the intron (in the exon), often being 5′-AG-3′. On the 3′-side of the GT dinucleotide (thus in the intron) high conservation can be found for a tetranucleotide 5′-AAGT-3′. This means that 8 nucleotides can be identified as highly conserved at the donor site.

5′ splice Near 3′splice junction 3′splice junction Intron type (exon{circumflex over ( )}intron) site (intron{circumflex over ( )}exon) Found in GU-AG CRN{circumflex over ( )}GU(A/G)AGU A YnAG{circumflex over ( )}N nuclear pre- (Canonical mRNA introns; about 99%) (about 1%) {circumflex over ( )}GC AG{circumflex over ( )} nuclear pre- mRNA Non- {circumflex over ( )}AU AC{circumflex over ( )} nuclear pre- canonical mRNA introns (< about 0.1%) Canonical CUPuAPy 20-50 branch sites nucleotides 5′ to splice-site acceptor of nuclear pre mRNA {circumflex over ( )}depicts the splice site; R = A or G; Y = C or T; N = A, C, G or T (but often G); n = multiple nucleotides; in bold = consensus dinucleotides in the intron sequence. Pu = purine base; Py = pyrimidine base.

Splice site structure and consensus sequences are described in the art and computer programs for identifying exons and splice site sequences, such as NetPLAntgene, BDGP or Genio, est2genome, FgeneSH, and the like, are available. Comparison of the genomic sequence or pre-mRNA sequence with the translated protein can be used to determine or verify splice sites and aberrant splicing.

Any mutation (insertion, deletion and/or substitution of one or more nucleotides) which alters pre-mRNA splicing and thereby leads to a protein with significantly reduced biological activity is encompassed herein. In one embodiment, a mutant FATB allele comprising a splice site mutation is a FATB allele wherein altered splicing is caused by the introduction in the FATB transcribed DNA region of one or more nucleotide substitution(s) of the consensus dinucleotides depicted in bold above. For example, ^GU may for example be mutated to ^AU in the donor splice site and/or AG^ may be mutated to AA^ in the acceptor splice site sequence. In another embodiment, a mutant FATB allele comprising a splice site mutation is a FATB allele wherein altered splicing is caused by the introduction in the FATB transcribed DNA region of one or more nucleotide substitution(s) in the conserved nucleotides in the exon sequences.

The following tables indicate possible splice site mutations in FATB genes, especially in the conserved dinucleotides of canonical introns and the nucleotide immediately flanking these dinucleotides in the exon (the symbols ‘[’ and ‘]’ indicate the exon-intron and intron-exon boundaries and the splice site; underlined nucleotides are mutated).

TABLE 8a Potential splice site mutations in FATB-A1 (WOSR, SEQ ID NO: 1) Nucleotide Wild type → Intron number position mutant splice site intron 1 - donor 504 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 1 - donor 505 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 1 - acceptor 589 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 1 - acceptor 590 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 2 - donor 723 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 2 - donor 724 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 2 - acceptor 797 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 2 - acceptor 798 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 3 - donor 911 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 3 - donor 912 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 3 - acceptor 980 . . . ag]t → . . . aa]t intron 4 - donor 1153 t[gt . . . → t[at . . . intron 4 - acceptor 1242 . . . ag]c → . . . aa]c intron 4 - acceptor 1243 . . . ag]c → . . . ag]t

TABLE 8b Potential splice site mutations in FATB-A1 (SOSR, SEQ ID NO: 13) Nucleotide Wild type → Intron number position mutant splice site intron 1 - donor 501 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 1 - donor 502 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 1 - acceptor 586 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 1 - acceptor 587 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 2 - donor 720 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 2 - donor 721 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 2 - acceptor 794 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 2 - acceptor 795 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 3 - donor 908 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 3 - donor 909 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 3 - acceptor 977 . . . ag]t → . . . aa]t intron 4 - donor 1150 t[gt . . . → t[at . . . intron 4 - acceptor 1239 . . . ag]c → . . . aa]c intron 4 - acceptor 1240 . . . ag]c → . . . ag]t

TABLE 9a Potential splice site mutations in FATB-A2 (WOSR, SEQ ID NO: 3) Nucleotide Wild type → Intron number position mutant splice site intron 1 - donor 504 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 1 - donor 505 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 1 - acceptor 583 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 1 - acceptor 584 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 2 - donor 717 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 2 - donor 718 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 2 - acceptor 811 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 2 - acceptor 812 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 3 - donor 925 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 3 - donor 926 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 3 - acceptor 1058 . . . ag]t → . . . aa]t intron 4 - donor 1231 t[gt . . . → t[at . . . intron 4 - acceptor 1308 . . . ag]c → . . . aa]c intron 4 - acceptor 1309 . . . ag]c → . . . ag]t

TABLE 9b Potential splice site mutations in FATB-A2 (SOSR, SEQ ID NO: 15) Nucleotide Wild type → Intron number position mutant splice site intron 1 - donor 504 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 1 - donor 505 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 1 - acceptor 583 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 1 - acceptor 584 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 2 - donor 717 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 2 - donor 718 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 2 - acceptor 811 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 2 - acceptor 812 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 3 - donor 925 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 3 - donor 926 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 3 - acceptor 1058 . . . ag]t → . . . aa]t intron 4 - donor 1231 t[gt . . . → t[at . . . intron 4 - acceptor 1308 . . . ag]c → . . . aa]c intron 4 - acceptor 1309 . . . ag]c → . . . ag]t

TABLE 10a Potential splice site mutations in FATB-A3 (WOSR, SEQ ID NO: 5) Nucleotide Wild type → Intron number position mutant splice site intron 1 - donor 507 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 1 - donor 508 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 1 - acceptor 739 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 1 - acceptor 740 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 2 - donor 873 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 2 - donor 874 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 2 - acceptor 946 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 2 - acceptor 947 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 3 - donor 1060 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 3 - donor 1061 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 3 - acceptor 1140 . . . ag]t → . . . aa]t intron 4 - donor 1312 c[gt . . . → t[gt . . . intron 4 - donor 1313 c[gt . . . → c[at . . . intron 4 - acceptor 1412 . . . ag]c → . . . aa]c intron 4 - acceptor 1413 . . . ag]c → . . . ag]t

TABLE 10b Potential splice site mutations in FATB-A3 (SOSR, SEQ ID NO: 17) Nucleotide Wild type → Intron number position mutant splice site intron 1 - donor 507 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 1 - donor 508 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 1 - acceptor 739 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 1 - acceptor 740 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 2 - donor 873 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 2 - donor 874 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 2 - acceptor 946 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 2 - acceptor 947 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 3 - donor 1060 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 3 - donor 1061 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 3 - acceptor 1138 . . . ag]t → . . . aa]t intron 4 - donor 1310 c[gt . . . → t[gt . . . intron 4 - donor 1311 c[gt . . . → c[at . . . intron 4 - acceptor 1394 . . . ag]c → . . . aa]c intron 4 - acceptor 1395 . . . ag]c → . . . ag]t

TABLE 11a Potential splice site mutations in FATB-C1 (WOSR, SEQ ID NO: 7) Nucleotide Wild type → Intron number position mutant splice site intron 1 - donor 498 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 1 - donor 499 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 1 - acceptor 578 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 1 - acceptor 579 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 2 - donor 712 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 2 - donor 713 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 2 - acceptor 790 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 2 - acceptor 791 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 3 - donor 904 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 3 - donor 905 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 3 - acceptor 994 . . . ag]t → . . . aa]t intron 4 - donor 1167 t[gt . . . → t[at . . . intron 4 - acceptor 1251 . . . ag]c → . . . aa]c intron 4 - acceptor 1252 . . . ag]c → . . . ag]t

TABLE 11b Potential splice site mutations in FATB-C1 (SOSR, SEQ ID NO: 19) Nucleotide Wild type → Intron number position mutant splice site intron 1 - donor 498 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 1 - donor 499 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 1 - acceptor 578 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 1 - acceptor 579 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 2 - donor 712 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 2 - donor 713 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 2 - acceptor 790 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 2 - acceptor 791 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 3 - donor 904 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 3 - donor 905 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 3 - acceptor 994 . . . ag]t → . . . aa]t intron 4 - donor 1167 t[gt . . . → t[at . . . intron 4 - acceptor 1251 . . . ag]c → . . . aa]c intron 4 - acceptor 1252 . . . ag]c → . . . ag]t

TABLE 12a Potential splice site mutations in FATB-C2 (WOSR, SEQ ID NO: 9) Nucleotide Wild type → Intron number position mutant splice site intron 1 - donor 504 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 1 - donor 505 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 1 - acceptor 580 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 1 - acceptor 581 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 2 - donor 714 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 2 - donor 715 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 2 - acceptor 944 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 2 - acceptor 945 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 3 - donor 1058 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 3 - donor 1059 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 3 - acceptor 1189 . . . ag]t → . . . aa]t intron 4 - donor 1362 t[gt . . . → t[at . . . intron 4 - acceptor 1446 . . . ag]c → . . . aa]c intron 4 - acceptor 1447 . . . ag]c → . . . ag]t

TABLE 12b Potential splice site mutations in FATB-C2 (SOSR, SEQ ID NO: 21) Nucleotide Wild type → Intron number position mutant splice site intron 1 - donor 504 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 1 - donor 505 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 1 - acceptor 580 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 1 - acceptor 581 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 2 - donor 714 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 2 - donor 715 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 2 - acceptor 944 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 2 - acceptor 945 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 3 - donor 1058 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 3 - donor 1059 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 3 - acceptor 1189 . . . ag]t → . . . aa]t intron 4 - donor 1362 t[gt . . . → t[at . . . intron 4 - acceptor 1446 . . . ag]c → . . . aa]c intron 4 - acceptor 1447 . . . ag]c → . . . ag]t

TABLE 13a Potential splice site mutations in FATB-C3 (WOSR, SEQ ID NO: 11) Nucleotide Wild type → Intron number position mutant splice site intron 1 - donor 507 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 1 - donor 508 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 1 - acceptor 929 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 1 - acceptor 930 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 2 - donor 1063 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 2 - donor 1064 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 2 - acceptor 1137 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 2 - acceptor 1138 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 3 - donor 1251 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 3 - donor 1252 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 3 - acceptor 1323 . . . ag]t → . . . aa]t intron 4 - donor 1495 c[gt . . . → t[gt . . . intron 4 - donor 1496 c[gt . . . → c[at . . . intron 4 - acceptor 1570 . . . ag]c → . . . aa]c intron 4 - acceptor 1571 . . . ag]c → . . . ag]t

TABLE 13b Potential splice site mutations in FATB-C3 (SOSR, SEQ ID NO: 23) Nucleotide Wild type → Intron number position mutant splice site intron 1 - donor 507 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 1 - donor 508 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 1 - acceptor 930 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 1 - acceptor 931 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 2 - donor 1064 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 2 - donor 1065 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 2 - acceptor 1138 . . . ag]g → . . . aa]g intron 2 - acceptor 1139 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a intron 3 - donor 1252 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . intron 3 - donor 1253 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . intron 3 - acceptor 1324 . . . ag]t → . . . aa]t intron 4 - donor 1496 c[gt . . . → t[gt . . . intron 4 - donor 1497 c[gt . . . → c[at . . . intron 4 - acceptor 1571 . . . ag]c → . . . aa]c intron 4 - acceptor 1572 . . . ag]c → . . . ag]t Amino Acid Sequences According to the Invention

Provided are both wild type (functional) FATB amino acid sequences and mutant FATB amino acid sequences (comprising one or more mutations, preferably mutations which result in a significantly reduced or no biological activity of the FATB protein) from Brassica species, especially from Brassica napus, but also from other Brassica crop species. For example, Brassica species comprising an A and/or a C genome may encode different FATB-A or FATB-C amino acids. In addition, mutagenesis methods can be used to generate mutations in wild type FATB alleles, thereby generating mutant alleles which can encode further mutant FATB proteins. In one embodiment the wild type and/or mutant FATB amino acid sequences are provided within a Brassica plant (i.e. endogenously). However, isolated FATB amino acid sequences (e.g. isolated from the plant or made synthetically), as well as variants thereof and fragments of any of these are also provided herein.

Amino acid sequences of FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2 and FATB-C3 proteins have been isolated from Brassica napus winter oilseed rape (WOSR) and spring oilseed rape (SOSR), as depicted in the sequence listing. The wild type FATB sequences are depicted, while the mutant FATB sequences of these sequences, and of sequences essentially similar to these, are described herein below, with reference to the wild type FATB sequences.

As described above, the FATB proteins of Brassica described herein are about 412-424 amino acids in length and comprise a number of structural and functional domains. The sequences of the N-terminal part of the FATB proteins are less conserved evolutionarily than the sequences of the mature FATB proteins. The sequences of the mature FATB proteins are therefore less variable than the sequences of the precursor proteins.

“FATB-A1 amino acid sequences” or “FATB-A1 variant amino acid sequences” according to the invention are amino acid sequences having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 2 (WOSR FATB-A1) when aligned with or without transit peptide and/or with SEQ ID NO: 14 (SOSR FATB-A1) when aligned with or without transit peptide. These amino acid sequences may also be referred to as being “essentially similar” or “essentially identical” the FATB sequences provided in the sequence listing.

“FATB-A2 amino acid sequences” or “FATB-A2 variant amino acid sequences” according to the invention are amino acid sequences having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 4 (WOSR FATB-A2) when aligned with or without transit peptide and/or SEQ ID NO: 16 (SOSR FATB-A2) when aligned with or without transit peptide. These amino acid sequences may also be referred to as being “essentially similar” or “essentially identical” the FATB sequences provided in the sequence listing.

“FATB-A3 amino acid sequences” or “FATB-A3 variant amino acid sequences” according to the invention are amino acid sequences having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 6 (WOSR FATB-A3) when aligned with or without transit peptide and/or SEQ ID NO: 18 (SOSR FATB-A3) when aligned with or without transit peptide. These amino acid sequences may also be referred to as being “essentially similar” or “essentially identical” the FATB sequences provided in the sequence listing.

“FATB-C1 amino acid sequences” or “FATB-C1 variant amino acid sequences” according to the invention are amino acid sequences having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 8 (WOSR FATB-C1) when aligned with or without transit peptide and/or with SEQ ID NO: 20 (SOSR FATB-C1) when aligned with or without transit peptide. These amino acid sequences may also be referred to as being “essentially similar” or “essentially identical” the FATB sequences provided in the sequence listing.

“FATB-C2 amino acid sequences” or “FATB-C2 variant amino acid sequences” according to the invention are amino acid sequences having at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 10 (WOSR FATB-C2) when aligned with or without transit peptide and/or SEQ ID NO: 22 (SOSR FATB-C2) when aligned with or without transit peptide. These amino acid sequences may also be referred to as being “essentially similar” or “essentially identical” the FATB sequences provided in the sequence listing.

“FATB-C3 amino acid sequences” or “FATB-C3 variant amino acid sequences” according to the invention are amino acid sequences having at least at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 100% sequence identity with SEQ ID NO: 12 (WOSR FATB-C3) when aligned with or without transit peptide and/or SEQ ID NO: 24 (SOSR FATB-C3) when aligned with or without transit peptide. These amino acid sequences may also be referred to as being “essentially similar” or “essentially identical” the FATB sequences provided in the sequence listing.

Thus, the invention provides both amino acid sequences of wild type, functional FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2 and FATB-C3 proteins, including variants and fragments thereof (as defined further below), as well as mutant amino acid sequences of any of these, whereby the mutation in the amino acid sequence preferably results in a significant reduction in the biological activity of the FATB protein. A significant reduction in biological activity of the mutant FATB protein, refers to a reduction in enzymatic activity (i.e. in acyl ACP-thioesterase activity) by at least 30%, at least 40%, 50% or more, at least 90% or 100% (no biological activity) compared to the activity of the wild type protein.

Both endogenous and isolated amino acid sequences are provided herein. A “fragment” of a FATB amino acid sequence or variant thereof (as defined) may be of various lengths, such as at least 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 50, 100, 200, 400 contiguous amino acids of the FATB sequence (or of the valiant sequence).

Amino Acid Sequences of Functional FATB Proteins

The amino acid sequences depicted in the sequence listing are wild type, functional FATB proteins from Brassica napus. Thus, these sequences are endogenous to the WOSR and SOSR plants from which they were isolated. Other Brassica crop species, varieties, breeding lines or wild accessions may be screened for other functional FATB proteins with the same amino acid sequences or variants thereof, as described above.

In addition, it is understood that FATB amino acid sequences and variants thereof (or fragments of any of these) may be identified in silico, by screening amino acid databases for essentially similar sequences. Fragments of amino acid molecules according to the invention are also provided. Fragments include amino acid sequences of the mature protein, or smaller fragments comprising all or part of the amino acid sequences, etc.

Amino Acid Sequences of Mutant FATB Proteins.

Amino acid sequences comprising one or more amino acid deletions, insertions or substitutions relative to the wild type amino acid sequences are another embodiment of the invention, as are fragments of such mutant amino acid molecules. Such mutant amino acid sequences can be generated and/or identified using various known methods, as described above. Again, such amino acid molecules are provided both in endogenous form and in isolated form.

In one embodiment, the mutation(s) in the amino acid sequence result in a significantly reduced or completely abolished biological activity of the FATB protein relative to the wild type protein. As described above, basically, any mutation which results in a protein comprising at least one amino acid insertion, deletion and/or substitution relative to the wild type protein can lead to significantly reduced (or no) enzymatic activity. It is, however, understood that mutations in certain parts of the protein are more likely to result in a reduced function of the mutant FATB protein, such as mutations leading to truncated proteins, whereby significant portions of the functional domains, such as the catalytic domain or amino acids involved in substrate specificity (see above), are lacking or mutations whereby conserved amino acid residues which have a catalytic function or which are involved in substrate specificity are substituted.

Thus in one embodiment, mutant FATB proteins are provided comprising one or more deletion or insertion mutations, whereby the deletion(s) or insertion(s) result(s) in a mutant protein which has significantly reduced or no activity in vivo. Such mutant FATB proteins are FATB proteins wherein at least 1, at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400 or more amino acids are deleted or inserted as compared to the wild type FATB protein, whereby the deletion(s) or insertion(s) result(s) in a mutant protein which has significantly reduced or no activity in vivo.

In another embodiment, mutant FATB proteins are provided which are truncated whereby the truncation results in a mutant protein which has significantly reduced or no activity in vivo. Such truncated FATB proteins are FATB proteins which lack functional domains in the C-terminal part of the corresponding wild type (mature) FATB protein and which maintain the N-terminal part of the corresponding wild type (mature) FATB protein. Thus in one embodiment, a truncated FATB protein comprising the N-terminal part of the corresponding wild type (mature) FATB protein up to but not including the conserved Cys residue of the papain-like catalytic triad (as described above) is provided. The more truncated the mutant protein is in comparison to the wild type protein, the more likely it is that it will lack any enzymatic activity. Thus in another embodiment, a truncated FATB protein comprising the N-terminal part of the corresponding wild type (mature) FATB protein up to but not including the conserved His or Asn residue of the papain-like catalytic triad (as described above) is provided. In yet another embodiment, a truncated FATB protein comprising the N-terminal part of the corresponding wild type (mature) FATB protein up to but not including the conserved Met, Lys, Val, Ser, or Trp residues involved in substrate specificity (as described above) are provided. In still another embodiment, a truncated FATB protein comprising the N-terminal part of the corresponding wild type (mature) FATB protein lacking part or all of the second 4HBT domain or lacking part or all of the first 4HBT domain (as described above), or even more amino acids are provided.

In yet another embodiment, mutant FATB proteins are provided comprising one or more substitution mutations, whereby the substitution(s) result(s) in a mutant protein which has significantly reduced or no activity in vivo. Such mutant FATB proteins are FATB proteins whereby conserved amino acid residues which have a catalytic function or which are involved in substrate specificity (for example, those described above) are substituted. Thus in one embodiment, a mutant FATB protein comprising a substitution of a conserved amino acid residue which has a catalytic function, such as the conserved Asn, His and Cys residues of the papain-like catalytic triad, is provided. In another embodiment, a mutant FATB protein comprising a substitution of a conserved amino acid residue involved in substrate specificity, such as the conserved Met, Lys, Val, Ser, or Trp residues, is provided.

Methods According to the Invention

Mutant fatB alleles may be generated (for example induced by mutagenesis) and/or identified using a range of methods, which are conventional in the art, for example using PCR based methods to amplify part or all of the fatB genomic or cDNA.

The term “mutagenesis”, as used herein, refers to the process in which plant cells (e.g., a plurality of Brassica seeds or other parts, such as pollen) are subjected to a technique which induces mutations in the DNA of the cells, such as contact with a mutagenic agent, such as a chemical substance (such as ethylmethylsulfonate (EMS), ethylnitrosourea (ENU), etc.) or ionizing radiation (neutrons (such as in fast neutron mutagenesis, etc.), alpha rays, gamma rays (such as that supplied by a Cobalt 60 source), X-rays, UV-radiation, etc.), or a combination of two or more of these. Thus, the desired mutagenesis of one or more FATB alleles may be accomplished by use of chemical means such as by contact of one or more plant tissues with ethylmethylsulfonate (EMS), ethylnitrosourea, etc., by the use of physical means such as x-ray, etc, or by gamma radiation, such as that supplied by a Cobalt 60 source.

Following mutagenesis, Brassica plants are grown from the treated seeds, or regenerated from the treated cells using known techniques. For instance, the resulting Brassica seeds may be planted in accordance with conventional growing procedures and following self-pollination seed is formed on the plants. Alternatively, doubled haploid plantlets may be extracted from treated microspore or pollen cells to immediately form homozygous plants. Additional seed which is formed as a result of such self-pollination in the present or a subsequent generation may be harvested and screened for the presence of mutant FATB alleles, using techniques which are conventional in the art, for example polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based techniques (amplification of the fatB alleles) or hybridization based techniques, e.g. Southern blot analysis, and/or direct sequencing of fatB alleles. To screen for the presence of point mutations (so called Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms or SNPs) in mutant FATB alleles, SNP detection methods conventional in the art can be used, for example oligoligation-based techniques, single base extension-based techniques or techniques based on differences in restriction sites, such as TILLING.

As described above, mutagenization (spontaneous as well as induced) of a specific wild-type FATB allele results in the presence of one or more deleted, inserted, or substituted nucleotides (hereinafter called “mutation region”) in the resulting mutant FATB allele. The mutant FATB allele can thus be characterized by the location and the configuration of the one or more deleted, inserted, or substituted nucleotides in the wild type FATB allele. The site in the wild type FATB allele where the one or more nucleotides have been inserted, deleted, or substituted, respectively, is also referred to as the “mutation region”. A “5′ or 3′ flanking region or sequence” as used herein refers to a DNA region or sequence in the mutant (or the corresponding wild type) FATB allele of at least 20 bp, preferably at least 50 bp, at least 750 bp, at least 1500 bp, and up to 5000 bp of DNA different from the DNA containing the one or more deleted, inserted, or substituted nucleotides, preferably DNA from the mutant (or the corresponding wild type) FATB allele which is located either immediately upstream of and contiguous with (5′ flanking region or sequence“) or immediately downstream of and contiguous with (3′ flanking region or sequence”) the mutation region in the mutant FATB allele (or in the corresponding wild type FATB allele).

The tools developed to identify a specific mutant FATB allele or the plant or plant material comprising a specific mutant FATB allele, or products which comprise plant material comprising a specific mutant FATB allele are based on the specific genomic characteristics of the specific mutant FATB allele as compared to the genomic characteristics of the corresponding wild type FATB allele, such as, a specific restriction map of the genomic region comprising the mutation region, molecular markers or the sequence of the flanking and/or mutation regions.

Once a specific mutant FATB allele has been sequenced, primers and probes can be developed which specifically recognize a sequence within the 5′ flanking, 3′ flanking and/or mutation regions of the mutant FATB allele in the nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) of a sample by way of a molecular biological technique. For instance a PCR method can be developed to identify the mutant FATB allele in biological samples (such as samples of plants, plant material or products comprising plant material). Such a PCR is based on at least two specific “primers”: one recognizing a sequence within the 5′ or 3′ flanking region of the mutant FATB allele and the other recognizing a sequence within the 3′ or 5′ flanking region of the mutant FATB allele, respectively; or one recognizing a sequence within the 5′ or 3′ flanking region of the mutant FATB allele and the other recognizing a sequence within the mutation region of the mutant FATB allele; or one recognizing a sequence within the 5′ or 3′ flanking region of the mutant FATB allele and the other recognizing a sequence spanning the joining region between the 3′ or 5′ flanking region and the mutation region of the specific mutant FATB allele (as described further below), respectively.

The primers preferably have a sequence of between 15 and 35 nucleotides which under optimized PCR conditions “specifically recognize” a sequence within the 5′ or 3′ flanking region, a sequence within the mutation region, or a sequence spanning the joining region between the 3′ or 5′ flanking and mutation regions of the specific mutant FATB allele, so that a specific fragment (“mutant FATB specific fragment” or discriminating amplicon) is amplified from a nucleic acid sample comprising the specific mutant FATB allele. This means that only the targeted mutant FATB allele, and no other sequence in the plant genome, is amplified under optimized PCR conditions.

PCR primers suitable for the invention may be the following:

-   -   oligonucleotides ranging in length from 17 nt to about 200 nt,         comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least 17 consecutive         nucleotides, preferably 20 consecutive nucleotides selected from         the 5′ flanking sequence of a specific mutant FATB allele (i.e.,         for example, the sequence 5′ flanking the one or more         nucleotides deleted, inserted or substituted in the mutant FATB         alleles of the invention, such as the sequence 5′ flanking the         deletion, non-sense or splice site mutations described above or         the sequence 5′ flanking the potential STOP codon or splice site         mutations indicated in the above Tables) at their 3′ end         (primers recognizing 5′ flanking sequences); or     -   oligonucleotides ranging in length from 17 nt to about 200 nt,         comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least 17 consecutive         nucleotides, preferably 20 consecutive nucleotides, selected         from the 3′ flanking sequence of a specific mutant FATB allele         (i.e., for example, the complement of the sequence 3′ flanking         the one or more nucleotides deleted, inserted or substituted in         the mutant FATB alleles of the invention, such as the complement         of the sequence 3′ flanking the deletion, non-sense or splice         site mutations described above or the complement of the sequence         3′ flanking the potential STOP codon or splice site mutations         indicated in the above Tables) at their 3′ end (primers         recognizing 3′ flanking sequences); or     -   oligonucleotides ranging in length from 17 nt to about 200 nt,         comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least 17 consecutive         nucleotides, preferably 20 nucleotides selected from the         sequence of the mutation region of a specific mutant FATB allele         (i.e., for example, the sequence of nucleotides inserted or         substituted in the FATB genes of the invention, or the         complement thereof) at their 3′ end (primers recognizing         mutation sequences).

The primers may of course be longer than the mentioned 17 consecutive nucleotides, and may e.g. be 20, 21, 30, 35, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200 nt long or even longer. The primers may entirely consist of nucleotide sequence selected from the mentioned nucleotide sequences of flanking and mutation sequences. However, the nucleotide sequence of the primers at their 5′ end (i.e. outside of the 3′-located 17 consecutive nucleotides) is less critical. Thus, the 5′ sequence of the primers may consist of a nucleotide sequence selected from the flanking or mutation sequences, as appropriate, but may contain several (e.g. 1, 2, 5, 10) mismatches. The 5′ sequence of the primers may even entirely consist of a nucleotide sequence unrelated to the flanking or mutation sequences, such as e.g. a nucleotide sequence representing restriction enzyme recognition sites. Such unrelated sequences or flanking DNA sequences with mismatches should preferably be not longer than 100, more preferably not longer than 50 or even 25 nucleotides.

Moreover, suitable primers may comprise or consist of a nucleotide sequence at their 3′ end spanning the joining region between flanking and mutation sequences (i.e., for example, the joining region between a sequence 5′ flanking one or more nucleotides deleted, inserted or substituted in the mutant FATB alleles of the invention and the sequence of the one or more nucleotides inserted or substituted or the sequence 3′ flanking the one or more nucleotides deleted, such as the joining region between a sequence 5′ flanking deletion, non-sense or splice site mutations in the FATB genes of the invention described above and the sequence of the non-sense or splice site mutations or the sequence 3′ flanking the deletion mutation, or the joining region between a sequence 5′ flanking a potential STOP codon or splice site mutation as indicated in the above Tables and the sequence of the potential STOP codon or splice site mutation), provided the mentioned 3′-located nucleotides are not derived exclusively from either the mutation region or flanking regions.

It will also be immediately clear to the skilled artisan that properly selected PCR primer pairs should also not comprise sequences complementary to each other.

For the purpose of the invention, the “complement of a nucleotide sequence represented in SEQ ID No: X” is the nucleotide sequence which can be derived from the represented nucleotide sequence by replacing the nucleotides through their complementary nucleotide according to Chargaff's rules (A

T; G

C) and reading the sequence in the 5′ to 3′ direction, i.e in opposite direction of the represented nucleotide sequence.

Examples of primers suitable to identify specific mutant FATB alleles are described in the Examples.

As used herein, “the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No. Z from position X to position Y” indicates the nucleotide sequence including both nucleotide endpoints.

Preferably, the amplified fragment has a length of between 50 and 1000 nucleotides, such as a length between 50 and 500 nucleotides, or a length between 100 and 350 nucleotides. The specific primers may have a sequence which is between 80 and 100% identical to a sequence within the 5′ or 3′ flanking region, a sequence within the mutation region, or a sequence spanning the joining region between the 3′ or 5′ flanking and mutation regions of the specific mutant FATB allele, provided the mismatches still allow specific identification of the specific mutant FATB allele with these primers under optimized PCR conditions. The range of allowable mismatches however, can easily be determined experimentally and are known to a person skilled in the art.

Detection and/or identification of a “mutant FATB specific fragment” can occur in various ways, e.g., via size estimation after gel or capillary electrophoresis or via fluorescence-based detection methods. The mutant FATB specific fragments may also be directly sequenced. Other sequence specific methods for detection of amplified DNA fragments are also known in the art.

Standard PCR protocols are described in the art; such as in ‘PCR Applications Manual” (Roche Molecular Biochemicals, 2nd Edition, 1999) and other references. The optimal conditions for the PCR, including the sequence of the specific primers, is specified in a “PCR identification protocol” for each specific mutant FATB allele. It is however understood that a number of parameters in the PCR identification protocol may need to be adjusted to specific laboratory conditions, and may be modified slightly to obtain similar results. For instance, use of a different method for preparation of DNA may require adjustment of, for instance, the amount of primers, polymerase, MgCl₂ concentration or annealing conditions used. Similarly, the selection of other primers may dictate other optimal conditions for the PCR identification protocol. These adjustments will however be apparent to a person skilled in the art, and are furthermore detailed in current PCR application manuals such as the one cited above.

Examples of PCR identification protocols to identify specific mutant FATB alleles are described in the Examples.

Alternatively, specific primers can be used to amplify a mutant FATB specific fragment that can be used as a “specific probe” for identifying a specific mutant FATB allele in biological samples. Contacting nucleic acid of a biological sample, with the probe, under conditions which allow hybridization of the probe with its corresponding fragment in the nucleic acid, results in the formation of a nucleic acid/probe hybrid. The formation of this hybrid can be detected (e.g. labeling of the nucleic acid or probe), whereby the formation of this hybrid indicates the presence of the specific mutant FATB allele. Such identification methods based on hybridization with a specific probe (either on a solid phase carrier or in solution) have been described in the art. The specific probe is preferably a sequence which, under optimized conditions, hybridizes specifically to a region within the 5′ or 3′ flanking region and/or within the mutation region of the specific mutant FATB allele (hereinafter referred to as “FATB mutation specific region”). Preferably, the specific probe comprises a sequence of between 20 and 1000 bp, 50 and 600 bp, between 100 to 500 bp, between 150 to 350 bp, which is at least 80%, preferably between 80 and 85%, more preferably between 85 and 90%, especially preferably between 90 and 95%, most preferably between 95% and 100% identical (or complementary) to the nucleotide sequence of a specific region. Preferably, the specific probe will comprise a sequence of about 15 to about 100 contiguous nucleotides identical (or complementary) to a specific region of the specific mutant FATB allele.

Specific probes suitable for the invention may be the following:

-   -   oligonucleotides ranging in length from 20 nt to about 1000 nt,         comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least 20 consecutive         nucleotides selected from the 5′ flanking sequence of a specific         mutant FATB allele (i.e., for example, the sequence 5′ flanking         the one or more nucleotides deleted, inserted or substituted in         the mutant FATB alleles of the invention, such as the sequence         5′ flanking the deletion, non-sense or splice site mutations         described above or the sequence 5′ flanking the potential STOP         codon or splice site mutations indicated in the above Tables),         or a sequence having at least 80% sequence identity therewith         (probes recognizing 5′ flanking sequences); or     -   oligonucleotides ranging in length from 20 nt to about 1000 nt,         comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least 20 consecutive         nucleotides selected from the 3′ flanking sequence of a specific         mutant FATB allele (i.e., for example, the sequence 3′ flanking         the one or more nucleotides deleted, inserted or substituted in         the mutant FATB alleles of the invention, such as the sequence         3′ flanking the deletion, non-sense or splice site mutations         described above or the sequence 3′ flanking the potential STOP         codon or splice site mutations indicated in the above Tables),         or a sequence having at least 80% sequence identity therewith         (probes recognizing 3′ flanking sequences); or     -   oligonucleotides ranging in length from 20 nt to about 1000 nt,         comprising a nucleotide sequence of at least 20 consecutive         nucleotides selected from the mutation sequence of a specific         mutant FATB allele (i.e., for example, the sequence of         nucleotides inserted or substituted in the FATB genes of the         invention, or the complement thereof), or a sequence having at         least 80% sequence identity therewith (probes recognizing         mutation sequences).

The probes may entirely consist of nucleotide sequence selected from the mentioned nucleotide sequences of flanking and mutation sequences. However, the nucleotide sequence of the probes at their 5′ or 3′ ends is less critical. Thus, the 5′ or 3′ sequences of the probes may consist of a nucleotide sequence selected from the flanking or mutation sequences, as appropriate, but may consist of a nucleotide sequence unrelated to the flanking or mutation sequences. Such unrelated sequences should preferably be not longer than 50, more preferably not longer than 25 or even not longer than 20 or 15 nucleotides.

Moreover, suitable probes may comprise or consist of a nucleotide sequence spanning the joining region between flanking and mutation sequences (i.e., for example, the joining region between a sequence 5′ flanking one or more nucleotides deleted, inserted or substituted in the mutant FATB alleles of the invention and the sequence of the one or more nucleotides inserted or substituted or the sequence 3′ flanking the one or more nucleotides deleted, such as the joining region between a sequence 5′ flanking deletion, non-sense or splice site mutations in the FATB genes of the invention described above and the sequence of the non-sense or splice site mutations or the sequence 3′ flanking the deletion mutation, or the joining region between a sequence 5′ flanking a potential STOP codon or splice site mutation as indicated in the above Tables and the sequence of the potential STOP codon or splice site mutation), provided the mentioned nucleotide sequence is not derived exclusively from either the mutation region or flanking regions.

Examples of specific probes suitable to identify specific mutant FATB alleles are described in the Examples.

Detection and/or identification of a “mutant FATB specific region” hybridizing to a specific probe can occur in various ways, e.g., via size estimation after gel electrophoresis or via fluorescence-based detection methods. Other sequence specific methods for detection of a “mutant FATB specific region” hybridizing to a specific probe are also known in the art.

Alternatively, plants or plant parts comprising one or more mutant fatB alleles can be generated and identified using other methods, such as the “Delete-a-gene™” method which uses PCR to screen for deletion mutants generated by fast neutron mutagenesis (reviewed by Li and Zhang, 2002, Funct Integr Genomics 2:254-258), by the TILLING (Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes) method which identifies EMS-induced point mutations using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) to detect base pair changes by heteroduplex analysis (McCallum et al., 2000, Nat Biotech 18:455, and McCallum et al. 2000, Plant Physiol. 123, 439-442), etc. As mentioned, TILLING uses high-throughput screening for mutations (e.g. using Cel 1 cleavage of mutant-wildtype DNA heteroduplexes and detection using a sequencing gel system). Thus, the use of TILLING to identify plants, seeds and tissues comprising one or more mutant fatB alleles in one or more tissues and methods for generating and identifying such plants is encompassed herein. Thus in one embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises the steps of mutagenizing plant seeds (e.g. EMS mutagenesis), pooling of plant individuals or DNA, PCR amplification of a region of interest, heteroduplex formation and high-throughput detection, identification of the mutant plant, sequencing of the mutant PCR product. It is understood that other mutagenesis and selection methods may equally be used to generate such mutant plants.

Instead of inducing mutations in fatB alleles, natural (spontaneous) mutant alleles may be identified by methods known in the art. For example, ECOTILLING may be used (Henikoff et al. 2004, Plant Physiology 135(2):630-6) to screen a plurality of plants or plant parts for the presence of natural mutant fatB alleles. As for the mutagenesis techniques above, preferably Brassica species are screened which comprise an A and/or a C genome, so that the identified fatB allele can subsequently be introduced into other Brassica species, such as Brassica napus, by crossing (inter- or intraspecific crosses) and selection. In ECOTILLING natural polymorphisms in breeding lines or related species are screened for by the TILLING methodology described above, in which individual or pools of plants are used for PCR amplification of the fatB target, heteroduplex formation and high-throughput analysis. This can be followed up by selecting individual plants having a required mutation that can be used subsequently in a breeding program to incorporate the desired mutant allele.

The identified mutant alleles can then be sequenced and the sequence can be compared to the wild type allele to identify the mutation(s). Optionally functionality can be tested by expression in a homologous or heterologous host and testing the mutant FATB protein for functionality in an enzyme assay. Using this approach a plurality of mutant fatB alleles (and Brassica plants comprising one or more of these) can be identified. The desired mutant alleles can then be combined with the desired wild type alleles by crossing and selection methods as described further below. Finally a single plant comprising the desired number of mutant fatB and the desired number of wild type FATB alleles is generated.

Oligonucleotides suitable as PCR primers or specific probes for detection of a specific mutant FATB allele can also be used to develop methods to determine the zygosity status of the specific mutant FATB allele.

To determine the zygosity status of a specific mutant FATB allele, a PCR-based assay can be developed to determine the presence of a mutant and/or corresponding wild type FATB specific allele:

To determine the zygosity status of a specific mutant FATB allele, two primers specifically recognizing the wild-type FATB allele can be designed in such a way that they are directed towards each other and have the mutation region located in between the primers. These primers may be primers specifically recognizing the 5′ and 3′ flanking sequences, respectively. This set of primers allows simultaneous diagnostic PCR amplification of the mutant, as well as of the corresponding wild type FATB allele.

Alternatively, to determine the zygosity status of a specific mutant FATB allele, two primers specifically recognizing the wild-type FATB allele can be designed in such a way that they are directed towards each other and that one of them specifically recognizes the mutation region. These primers may be primers specifically recognizing the sequence of the 5′ or 3′ flanking region and the mutation region of the wild type FATB allele, respectively. This set of primers, together with a third primer which specifically recognizes the sequence of the mutation region in the mutant FATB allele, allow simultaneous diagnostic PCR amplification of the mutant FATB gene, as well as of the wild type FATB gene.

Alternatively, to determine the zygosity status of a specific mutant FATB allele, two primers specifically recognizing the wild-type FATB allele can be designed in such a way that they are directed towards each other and that one of them specifically recognizes the joining region between the 5′ or 3′ flanking region and the mutation region. These primers may be primers specifically recognizing the 5′ or 3′ flanking sequence and the joining region between the mutation region and the 3′ or 5′ flanking region of the wild type FATB allele, respectively. This set of primers, together with a third primer which specifically recognizes the joining region between the mutation region and the 3′ or 5′ flanking region of the mutant FATB allele, respectively, allow simultaneous diagnostic PCR amplification of the mutant FATB gene, as well as of the wild type FATB gene.

Alternatively, the zygosity status of a specific mutant FATB allele can be determined by using alternative primer sets which specifically recognize mutant and wild type FATB alleles.

If the plant is homozygous for the mutant FATB gene or the corresponding wild type FATB gene, the diagnostic PCR assays described above will give rise to a single PCR product typical, preferably typical in length, for either the mutant or wild type FATB allele. If the plant is hemizygous for the mutant FATB allele, two specific PCR products will appear, reflecting both the amplification of the mutant and the wild type FATB allele.

Identification of the wild type and mutant FATB specific PCR products can occur e.g. by size estimation after gel or capillary electrophoresis (e.g. for mutant FATB alleles comprising a number of inserted or deleted nucleotides which results in a size difference between the fragments amplified from the wild type and the mutant FATB allele, such that said fragments can be visibly separated on a gel); by evaluating the presence or absence of the two different fragments after gel or capillary electrophoresis, whereby the diagnostic PCR amplification of the mutant FATB allele can, optionally, be performed separately from the diagnostic PCR amplification of the wild type FATB allele; by direct sequencing of the amplified fragments; or by fluorescence-based detection methods.

Examples of primers suitable to determine the zygosity of specific mutant FATB alleles are described in the Examples.

Alternatively, to determine the zygosity status of a specific mutant FATB allele, a hybridization-based assay can be developed to determine the presence of a mutant and/or corresponding wild type FATB specific allele:

To determine the zygosity status of a specific mutant FATB allele, two specific probes recognizing the wild-type FATB allele can be designed in such a way that each probe specifically recognizes a sequence within the FATB wild type allele and that the mutation region is located in between the sequences recognized by the probes. These probes may be probes specifically recognizing the 5′ and 3′ flanking sequences, respectively. The use of one or, preferably, both of these probes allows simultaneous diagnostic hybridization of the mutant, as well as of the corresponding wild type FATB allele.

Alternatively, to determine the zygosity status of a specific mutant FATB allele, two specific probes recognizing the wild-type FATB allele can be designed in such a way that one of them specifically recognizes a sequence within the FATB wild type allele upstream or downstream of the mutation region, preferably upstream of the mutation region, and that one of them specifically recognizes the mutation region. These probes may be probes specifically recognizing the sequence of the 5′ or 3′ flanking region, preferably the 5′ flanking region, and the mutation region of the wild type FATB allele, respectively. The use of one or, preferably, both of these probes, optionally, together with a third probe which specifically recognizes the sequence of the mutation region in the mutant FATB allele, allow diagnostic hybridization of the mutant and of the wild type FATB gene.

Alternatively, to determine the zygosity status of a specific mutant FATB allele, a specific probe recognizing the wild-type FATB allele can be designed in such a way that the probe specifically recognizes the joining region between the 5′ or 3′ flanking region, preferably the 5′ flanking region, and the mutation region of the wild type FATB allele. This probe, optionally, together with a second probe which specifically recognizes the joining region between the 5′ or 3′ flanking region, preferably the 5′ flanking region, and the mutation region of the mutant FATB allele, allows diagnostic hybridization of the mutant and of the wild type FATB gene.

Alternatively, the zygosity status of a specific mutant FATB allele can be determined by using alternative sets of probes which specifically recognize mutant and wild type FATB alleles.

If the plant is homozygous for the mutant FATB gene or the corresponding wild type FATB gene, the diagnostic hybridization assays described above will give rise to a single specific hybridization product, such as one or more hybridizing DNA (restriction) fragments, typical, preferably typical in length, for either the mutant or wild type FATB allele. If the plant is hemizygous for the mutant FATB allele, two specific hybridization products will appear, reflecting both the hybridization of the mutant and the wild type FATB allele.

Identification of the wild type and mutant FATB specific hybridization products can occur e.g. by size estimation after gel or capillary electrophoresis (e.g. for mutant FATB alleles comprising a number of inserted or deleted nucleotides which results in a size difference between the hybridizing DNA (restriction) fragments from the wild type and the mutant FATB allele, such that said fragments can be visibly separated on a gel); by evaluating the presence or absence of the two different specific hybridization products after gel or capillary electrophoresis, whereby the diagnostic hybridization of the mutant FATB allele can, optionally, be performed separately from the diagnostic hybridization of the wild type FATB allele; by direct sequencing of the hybridizing DNA (restriction) fragments; or by fluorescence-based detection methods.

Examples of probes suitable to determine the zygosity of specific mutant FATB alleles are described in the Examples.

Furthermore, detection methods specific for a specific mutant FATB allele which differ from PCR- or hybridization-based amplification methods can also be developed using the specific mutant FATB allele specific sequence information provided herein. Such alternative detection methods include linear signal amplification detection methods based on invasive cleavage of particular nucleic acid structures, also known as Invader™ technology, (as described e.g. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,985,557 “Invasive Cleavage of Nucleic Acids”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,567 “Detection of Nucleic Acid sequences by Invader Directed Cleavage, incorporated herein by reference), RT-PCR-based detection methods, such as Taqman, or other detection methods, such as SNPlex.

Kits According to the Invention

A “kit” as used herein refers to a set of reagents for the purpose of performing the method of the invention, more particularly, the identification of a specific mutant FATB allele in biological samples or the determination of the zygosity status of plant material comprising a specific mutant FATB allele. More particularly, a preferred embodiment of the kit of the invention comprises at least two specific primers, as described above, for identification of a specific mutant FATB allele, or at least two or three specific primers for the determination of the zygosity status. Optionally, the kit can further comprise any other reagent described herein in the PCR identification protocol. Alternatively, according to another embodiment of this invention, the kit can comprise at least one specific probe, which specifically hybridizes with nucleic acid of biological samples to identify the presence of a specific mutant FATB allele therein, as described above, for identification of a specific mutant FATB allele, or at least two or three specific probes for the determination of the zygosity status. Optionally, the kit can further comprise any other reagent (such as but not limited to hybridizing buffer, label) for identification of a specific mutant FATB allele in biological samples, using the specific probe.

The kit of the invention can be used, and its components can be specifically adjusted, for purposes of quality control (e.g., purity of seed lots), detection of the presence or absence of a specific mutant FATB allele in plant material or material comprising or derived from plant material, such as but not limited to food or feed products.

The term “primer” as used herein encompasses any nucleic acid that is capable of priming the synthesis of a nascent nucleic acid in a template-dependent process, such as PCR. Typically, primers are oligonucleotides from 10 to 30 nucleotides, but longer sequences can be employed. Primers may be provided in double-stranded form, though the single-stranded form is preferred. Probes can be used as primers, but are designed to bind to the target DNA or RNA and need not be used in an amplification process.

The term “recognizing” as used herein when referring to specific primers, refers to the fact that the specific primers specifically hybridize to a nucleic acid sequence in a specific mutant FATB allele under the conditions set forth in the method (such as the conditions of the PCR identification protocol), whereby the specificity is determined by the presence of positive and negative controls.

The term “hybridizing” as used herein when referring to specific probes, refers to the fact that the probe binds to a specific region in the nucleic acid sequence of a specific mutant FATB allele under standard stringency conditions. Standard stringency conditions as used herein refers to the conditions for hybridization described herein or to the conventional hybridizing conditions as described by Sambrook et al., 1989 (Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Second Edition, Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory Press, NY) which for instance can comprise the following steps: 1) immobilizing plant genomic DNA fragments or BAC library DNA on a filter, 2) prehybridizing the filter for 1 to 2 hours at 65° C. in 6×SSC, 5×Denhardt's reagent, 0.5% SDS and 20 μg/ml denaturated carrier DNA, 3) adding the hybridization probe which has been labeled, 4) incubating for 16 to 24 hours, 5) washing the filter once for 30 min. at 68° C. in 6×SSC, 0.1% SDS, 6) washing the filter three times (two times for 30 min. in 30 ml and once for 10 min in 500 ml) at 68° C. in 2×SSC, 0.1% SDS, and 7) exposing the filter for 4 to 48 hours to X-ray film at −70° C.

As used in herein, a “biological sample” is a sample of a plant, plant material or product comprising plant material. The term “plant” is intended to encompass Brassica plant tissues, at any stage of maturity, as well as any cells, tissues, or organs taken from or derived from any such plant, including without limitation, any seeds, leaves, stems, flowers, roots, single cells, gametes, cell cultures, tissue cultures or protoplasts. “Plant material”, as used herein refers to material which is obtained or derived from a plant. Products comprising plant material relate to food, feed or other products which are produced using plant material or can be contaminated by plant material. It is understood that, in the context of the present invention, such biological samples are tested for the presence of nucleic acids specific for a specific mutant FATB allele, implying the presence of nucleic acids in the samples. Thus the methods referred to herein for identifying a specific mutant FATB allele in biological samples, relate to the identification in biological samples of nucleic acids which comprise the specific mutant FATB allele.

The present invention also relates to the transfer of one or more specific mutant FATB allele(s) in one Brassica plant to another Brassica plant, to the combination of specific FATB alleles in one plant, to the plants comprising one or more specific mutant FATB allele(s), the progeny obtained from these plants and to the plant cells, or plant material derived from these plants.

Thus, in one embodiment of the invention a method for transferring a mutant FATB allele from one Brassica plant to another Brassica plant is provided comprising the steps of:

-   (a) crossing a Brassica plant comprising a mutant FATB allele, as     described above, with a second Brassica plant, -   (b) collecting F1 hybrid seeds from the cross, -   (c) optionally, backcrossing the F1 plants, derived from the F1     seeds, for one or more generations (x), collecting BCx seeds from     the crosses, and identifying in every generation BCx plants, derived     from the BCx seeds, comprising the mutant FATB allele as described     above, -   (d) optionally, extracting doubled haploid plants from treated     microspore or pollen cells of F1 or BC1 plants to obtain homozygous     plants, -   (e) selfing the F1 or BCx plants, derived from the F1 or BCx seeds, -   (f) collecting F1 S1 or BCx S1 seeds from the selfing, -   (g) identifying F1 S1 or BCx S1 plants, derived from the F1 S1 or     BCx S1 seeds, comprising the mutant FATB allele as described above.

In another embodiment of the invention a method for combining at least two mutant FATB alleles in one Brassica plant is provided comprising the steps of:

-   (a) transferring a mutant FATB allele(s) from one Brassica plant to     another Brassica plant as described above, -   (b) repeating step (a) until the desired number and/or types of     mutant FATB alleles are combined in the second plant.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for making a Brassica plant comprising at least 3 mutant fatB alleles of three different FATB genes herein, comprising the steps of:

-   (a) combining at least three mutant FATB alleles of at least three     different FATB genes in one Brassica plant, as described above, -   (b) optionally, identifying a plant, or part thereof, which is     homozygous or heterozygous for one or more mutant FATB alleles by     determining the zygosity status of the one or more mutant FATB     alleles, as described above, -   (c) optionally, identifying a plant, or part thereof, with a     significantly reduced amount of functional FATB protein, -   (d) optionally, identifying a plant, which produces a seed oil, the     fatty acid composition of which is significantly altered as compared     to the fatty acid composition of the seed oil of a corresponding     wild type Brassica plant, -   (e) optionally, growing such plants and isolating seed oil from such     plants for human consumption.     Plant Seed Oils According to the Invention

Provided are both “low sats” and “no sats” oil derived from seeds of Brassica plants according to the invention, especially of Brassica napus plants as provided herein, but also from other Brassica oilseed species. For example, Brassica oilseed species comprising mutant FATB-A and/or FATB-C genes, such as Brassica juncea and Brassica rapa.

It was found that Brassica napus plants comprising a mutation, which causes a significant reduction in the amount of functional FATB protein encoded by the wild type equivalent of the mutant fatB allele, in only one or two of the six FATB genes is not sufficient to significantly reduce the percentage (wt %) of saturated fatty acids in the seed oil of the plants. It is thought that at least three mutant fatB alleles, of three different FATB genes (selected from FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2 and FATB-C3) need to be comprised in the plant in order to obtain plants which produce a low or no saturate seed oil.

Thus in one aspect of the invention, “low sats” or “no sats” seed oil is provided derived from seeds of Brassica plants comprising at least 3 mutant fatB alleles of three different FATB genes (selected from FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2 and FATB-C3), whereby the mutant fatB alleles result in a significantly reduced amount of functional FATB protein of the type encoded by the wild-type equivalent of these mutant alleles and thus an overall significantly reduced amount of the functional FATB proteins produced in the plant cells, specifically in the developing seeds, in vivo.

In a further aspect of the invention, “low sats” or “no sats” seed oil is provided derived from seeds of homozygous FATB triple mutant-, homozygous FATB quadruple mutant- and/or homozygous FATB quintuple mutant-Brassica plants, whereby the mutant alleles are selected from the genes FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2 and FATB-C3.

In yet a further aspect of the invention, “low sats” or “no sats” seed oil is provided derived from seeds of homozygous FATB triple mutant-, homozygous FATB quadruple mutant- and/or homozygous FATB quintuple mutant- Brassica plants, which comprise a further mutant FATB allele, wherein the mutant plants or plant parts are heterozygous for the additional mutant FATB allele, and wherein the mutant alleles are selected from the genes FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2 and FATB-C3.

By combining sufficient copies of specific mutant fatB alleles with sufficient copies of specific wild type FATB alleles in one plant, it is possible to fine tune the amount and/or type of functional FATB proteins made, which in turn influences the export of (the amount and/or type of) free saturated fatty acids from the plastid and thus the fatty acid composition of the seed oil produced.

Thus in another embodiment of the invention, seed oil comprising a specific amount and/or type of saturated fatty acids is provided derived from seeds of Brassica plants comprising at least one specific mutant FATB allele according to the invention and at least one specific wild type FATB allele according to the invention, whereby the specific combination of the mutant and the wild type FATB allele(s) results in a specific amount and/or type of functional FATB proteins produced in the plant cells, specifically in the developing seeds, in vivo.

Also included in the invention is the use of the seed oil of this invention in food applications, in particular, food applications wherein a human health benefit is envisioned. While the oils of the present invention are primarily useful as oils for the human diet (food applications), they might also have utility in the diet of animals (feed applications). Other applications, such as mixing seed oil with a specific modified relative amount and/or composition of saturated fatty acids according to the invention, in particular, seed oil containing significantly less than 7% saturated fatty acids according to the invention, with other vegetable oils, in particular, vegetable oils containing significantly more than 7% saturated fatty acids, such as the ones mentioned in the background section, to decrease the level of saturated fatty acids in the latter one thus making it more suitable for certain applications, such as but not limited to, for the production of biodiesel, are also included in the invention.

Sequences

The sequence listing depicts the genomic FATB protein-encoding DNA of the wild type FATB sequences. These sequences comprises 5 exons interrupted by 4 introns. In the cDNA and corresponding processed mRNA (i.e. the spliced RNA), introns are removed and exons are joined. Thus, for example, the cDNA of the FATB-A1 gene encoding a wild-type FATB-A1 protein from winter oilseed rape (WOSR) Brassica napus has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 from position 1-504, 590-723, 798-911, 981-1152, and 1243-1560.

FATB Genes

SEQ ID NO 1: DNA of the FATB-A1 gene (with introns), encoding a wild-type FATB-A1 protein from winter oilseed rape (WOSR) Brassica napus.

SEQ ID NO 2: wild type FATB-A1 protein encoded by SEQ ID NO: 1.

SEQ ID NO 3: DNA of the FATB-A2 gene (with introns), encoding a wild-type FATB-A2 protein from winter oilseed rape (WOSR) Brassica napus.

SEQ ID NO 4: wild type FATB-A2 protein encoded by SEQ ID NO: 3.

SEQ ID NO 5: DNA of the FATB-A3 gene (with introns), encoding a wild-type FATB-A3 protein from winter oilseed rape (WOSR) Brassica napus.

SEQ ID NO 6: wild type FATB-A3 protein encoded by SEQ ID NO: 5.

SEQ ID NO 7: DNA of the FATB-C1 gene (with introns), encoding a wild-type FATB-C1 protein from winter oilseed rape (WOSR) Brassica napus.

SEQ ID NO 8: wild type FATB-C1 protein encoded by SEQ ID NO: 7.

SEQ ID NO 9: DNA of the FATB-C2 gene (with introns), encoding a wild-type FATB-C2 protein from winter oilseed rape (WOSR) Brassica napus.

SEQ ID NO 10: wild type FATB-C2 protein encoded by SEQ ID NO: 9.

SEQ ID NO 11: DNA of the FATB-C3 gene (with introns), encoding a wild-type FATB-C3 protein from winter oilseed rape (WOSR) Brassica napus.

SEQ ID NO 12: wild type FATB-C3 protein encoded by SEQ ID NO: 11.

SEQ ID NO 13: DNA of the FATB-A1 gene (with introns), encoding a wild-type FATB-A1 protein from spring oilseed rape (SOSR) Brassica napus.

SEQ ID NO 14: wild type FATB-A1 protein encoded by SEQ ID NO: 13.

SEQ ID NO 15: DNA of the FATB-A2 gene (with introns), encoding a wild-type FATB-A2 protein from spring oilseed rape (SOSR) Brassica napus.

SEQ ID NO 16: wild type FATB-A2 protein encoded by SEQ ID NO: 15.

SEQ ID NO 17: DNA of the FATB-A3 gene (with introns), encoding a wild-type FATB-A3 protein from spring oilseed rape (SOSR) Brassica napus.

SEQ ID NO 18: wild type FATB-A3 protein encoded by SEQ ID NO: 17.

SEQ ID NO 19: DNA of the FATB-C1 gene (with introns), encoding a wild-type FATB-C1 protein from spring oilseed rape (SOSR) Brassica napus.

SEQ ID NO 20: wild type FATB-C1 protein encoded by SEQ ID NO: 19.

SEQ ID NO 21: DNA of the FATB-C2 gene (with introns), encoding a wild-type FATB-C2 protein from spring oilseed rape (SOSR) Brassica napus.

SEQ ID NO 22: wild type FATB-C2 protein encoded by SEQ ID NO: 21.

SEQ ID NO 23: DNA of the FATB-C3 gene (with introns), encoding a wild-type FATB-C3 protein from spring oilseed rape (SOSR) Brassica napus.

SEQ ID NO 24: wild type FATB-C3 protein encoded by SEQ ID NO: 23.

SEQ ID NO 79: DNA of the FATB1 gene encoding a wild-type FATB1 protein from Arabidopsis thaliana

SEQ ID NO 80: wild type FATB1 protein encoded by SEQ ID NO: 79

Primers and Probes

SEQ ID NO 25: 5′ At FATB1 probe

SEQ ID NO 26: oligonucleotide primer KVA05-14

SEQ ID NO 27: oligonucleotide primer KVA05-15

SEQ ID NO 28: 3′ At FATB1 probe

SEQ ID NO 29: oligonucleotide primer KVA05-16

SEQ ID NO 30: oligonucleotide primer KVA05-17

SEQ ID NO 31: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A1 (SEQ ID NO: 13)

SEQ ID NO 32: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A1 (SEQ ID NO: 13)

SEQ ID NO 33: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A2 (SEQ ID NO: 15)

SEQ ID NO 34: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A2 (SEQ ID NO: 15)

SEQ ID NO 35: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A3 (SEQ ID NO: 17)

SEQ ID NO 36: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A3 (SEQ ID NO: 17)

SEQ ID NO 37: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C1 (SEQ ID NO: 19)

SEQ ID NO 38: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C1 (SEQ ID NO: 19)

SEQ ID NO 39: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C2 (SEQ ID NO: 21)

SEQ ID NO 40: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C2 (SEQ ID NO: 21)

SEQ ID NO 41: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C3 (SEQ ID NO: 23)

SEQ ID NO 42: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C3 (SEQ ID NO: 23)

SEQ ID NO 43: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A1

SEQ ID NO 44: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A2

SEQ ID NO 45: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A2

SEQ ID NO 46: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A3

SEQ ID NO 47: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C1

SEQ ID NO 48: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C2

SEQ ID NO 49: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C3

SEQ ID NO 50: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A1-EMS05

SEQ ID NO 51: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A1

SEQ ID NO 52: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A1-EMS05 and -A1

SEQ ID NO 53: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A1-EMS06

SEQ ID NO 54: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A1

SEQ ID NO 55: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A1-EMS06 and -A1

SEQ ID NO 56: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A2-EMS05

SEQ ID NO 57: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A2

SEQ ID NO 58: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A2-EMS05 and -A2

SEQ ID NO 59: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A2-EMS01

SEQ ID NO 60: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A2

SEQ ID NO 61: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A2-EMS01 and -A2

SEQ ID NO 62: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A3-EMS01

SEQ ID NO 63: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A3

SEQ ID NO 64: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A3-EMS01 and -A3

SEQ ID NO 65: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C1-EMS05

SEQ ID NO 66: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C1

SEQ ID NO 67: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C1-EMS05, -C1-EMS04, and -C1

SEQ ID NO 68: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C1-EMS04

SEQ ID NO 69: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C1

SEQ ID NO 70: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C2-EMS02

SEQ ID NO 71: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C2

SEQ ID NO 72: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C2-EMS02 and -C2

SEQ ID NO 73: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C2-EMS03

SEQ ID NO 74: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C2

SEQ ID NO 75: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C2-EMS03 and -C2

SEQ ID NO 76: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C3-EMS02

SEQ ID NO 77: Forward oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C3

SEQ ID NO 78: Reverse oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C3-EMS02 and -C3

SEQ ID NO 81: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A1-EMS05

SEQ ID NO 82: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A1-EMS05

SEQ ID NO 83: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A1-EMS06

SEQ ID NO 84: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A1-EMS06

SEQ ID NO 85: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A2-EMS01

SEQ ID NO 86: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A2-EMS01

SEQ ID NO 87: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A2-EMS05

SEQ ID NO 88: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A2-EMS05

SEQ ID NO 89: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A3-EMS01

SEQ ID NO 90: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-A3-EMS01

SEQ ID NO 91: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C1-EMS04

SEQ ID NO 92: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C1-EMS04

SEQ ID NO 93: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C1-EMS05

SEQ ID NO 94: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C1-EMS05

SEQ ID NO 95: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C2-EMS02

SEQ ID NO 96: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C2-EMS02

SEQ ID NO 97: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C2-EMS03

SEQ ID NO 98: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C2-EMS03

SEQ ID NO 99: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C3-EMS02

SEQ ID NO 100: Oligonucleotide for detection of FATB-C3-EMS02

SEQ ID NO 101: Oligonucleotide for detection of ENDO1

SEQ ID NO 102: Oligonucleotide for detection of ENDO1

Unless stated otherwise in the Examples, all recombinant DNA techniques are carried out according to standard protocols as described in Sambrook and Russell (2001) Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Third Edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, NY, in Volumes 1 and 2 of Ausubel et al. (1994) Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, Current Protocols, USA and in Volumes I and II of Brown (1998) Molecular Biology LabFax, Second Edition, Academic Press (UK). Standard materials and methods for plant molecular work are described in Plant Molecular Biology Labfax (1993) by R. D. D. Croy, jointly published by BIOS Scientific Publications Ltd (UK) and Blackwell Scientific Publications, UK. Standard materials and methods for polymerase chain reactions can be found in Dieffenbach and Dveksler (1995) PCR Primer: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, and in McPherson at al. (2000) PCR—Basics: From Background to Bench, First Edition, Springer Verlag, Germany. Standard procedures for AFLP analysis are described in Vos et al. (1995, NAR 23:4407-4414) and in published EP patent application EP 534858.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Determination of Number of FATB Genes in Brassica napus and Isolation of the DNA Sequences of the FATB Genes

To determine the number of FATB genes in Brassica napus and the sequences of the different FATB genes, Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) libraries of different Brassica napus varieties were screened as follows:

1.1. Isolation of BAC Clones Comprising a FATB Sequence

To identify Escherichia coli colonies containing a BAC clone comprising a FATB sequence of different Brassica napus varieties, BAC libraries of an elite Brassica napus spring oilseed rape line (hereinafter called “SOSR”) and of the Brassica napus winter oilseed rape variety Express (hereinafter called “WOSR Express”) (average clone size of more than 120 kb) arrayed as individual duplicated clones on high density nylon filters were screened by standard Southern hybridization procedures:

-   -   DNA templates for the preparation of probes to detect the         Brassica FATB genes were prepared by a polymerase chain reaction         (PCR):         -   Templates:         -   (a) a pGEM5Zf(+) vector comprising a 487 bp fragment of the             5′ part of the FATB1 gene from Arabidopsis thaliana cv.             Colombia (At1g08510) (SEQ ID NO: 25) (pKVA48)         -   (b) a pGEM5Zf(+) vector comprising a 352 bp fragment of the             3′ part of the FATB1 gene from Arabidopsis thaliana cv.             Colombia (SEQ ID NO: 28). (pKVA49)         -   Primers:

(a) Forward primer: (KVA05-14-SEQ ID NO: 26) 5′-GAACTTTCATCAACCAGTTACC-3′ Reverse primer: (KVA05-15-SEQ ID NO: 27) 5′-TTATGC-AAGAGGATAGCTTACC-3′ (b)Forward primer: (KVA05-16-SEQ ID NO: 29) 5-CAGTGTGTGGGTGATGATGA-3′ Reverse primer: (KVA05-17-SEQ ID NO: 30) 5′-TATTCCCACTGGAGCACTCT-3′

-   -   -   PCR mix:         -   20 μl 10×PCR buffer, 2 μl dNTPs (25 mM), 1 μl Taq polymerase             (5 U/μl), 168 μl H₂O, and             -   4 μl KVA05-14 (10 μM), 4 μl KVA05-15 (10 μM), 1 μl                 pKVA48 (20 pg/μl),             -   4 μl KVA05-16 (10 μM), 4 μl KVA05-17 (10 μM), 1 μl                 pKVA49 (20 pg/μl), divided in 4×50 μl         -   Thermocycling profile: 4 min at 94° C.; 5×[1 min at 94° C.             (denaturation) and 1 min at 50° C. (annealing) and 2 min at             72° C. (elongation)]; 25× [40 sec at 94° C. (denaturation)             and 40 sec at 50° C. (annealing) and 1 min at 72° C.             (elongation)]; 5 min at 72° C.; cool down to 10° C.         -   This generated:         -   (a) the 487 bp DNA fragment of the Arabidopsis FATB1 gene             (SEQ ID NO: 25; “5′ AtFATB1 probe”) comprised in vector             pKVA48.         -   (b) the 352 bp DNA fragment of the Arabidopsis FATB1 gene             (SEQ ID NO: 28; “3′ AtFATB1 probe”) comprised in vector             pKVA49.

    -   The DNA fragments were purified and the 478 bp DNA fragments         (“5′ AtFATB1 probe”) were labeled according to standard         procedures (e.g., using α-³²P-dCTP and Ready-To-Go DNA labeling         Beads—Amersham Bioscience®) and used for hybridizing to the DNA         on the nylon membrane. Alternatively, the 352 bp DNA fragments         (“3′ AtFATB1 probe”) can be labeled and used for hybridizing to         the DNA on the nylon membrane.

    -   Pre-hybridization was performed for 2 hour at 65° C. in 30 ml of         the following hybridization buffer: 6×SSC (20×SSC contains 3.0 M         NaCl, 0.3 M Na citrate, pH 7.0), 5×Denhardt's (100×Denhardt's         contains 2% Ficoll, 2% Polyvinyl pyrollidone, 2% Bovine Serum         Albumin), 0.5% SDS and 20 μg/ml denaturated carrier DNA         (single-stranded fish sperm DNA, with an average length of         120-3000 nucleotides)

    -   Hybridization was performed under the following conditions:         -   The labeled probe was denaturated by heating for 5 minutes             at 95° C. and chilling on ice for 5 minutes and added to 15             ml of hybridization buffer (same buffer as for the             pre-hybridization)         -   The hybridization was performed overnight at 65° C.

    -   The blots were washed three times for 30 minutes at 65° C. in         the hybridization tubes (once with 30 ml 6×SSC with 0.1% SDS and         twice with 30 ml 2×SSC with 0.1% SDS) and one time for 10         minutes at 65° C. with 500 ml 2×SSC with 0.1% SDS in a box.

    -   Kodak X-OMAT AR films were exposed to the radioactive blots for         4 hours at −70° C.

    -   Based on the positive signals, 72 E. coli colonies containing a         BAC clone comprising a FATB sequence were picked up by screening         the BAC library from WOSR Express (total n^(o) of         positives: 114) and 40 by screening the BAC library from SOSR         (total n^(o) of positives: 135) in a second BAC library         screening (hereinafter called “positive colonies”).         1.2. Isolation of BAC Clones Comprising a Full-Length FATB         Sequence

To identify positive colonies comprising a BAC clone with a full-length genomic sequence of one of the FATB genes, a Southern blot analysis was performed on BAC clone DNA isolated from the positive colonies and on genomic DNA isolated from Brassica napus:

-   -   BAC clone DNA was isolated through alkaline lysis as described         in the art from the positive colonies grown up in 100 ml (for         WOSR Express) or in 25 ml (for SOSR) Luria Broth medium         containing 25 μg/ml chloramphenicol.     -   Genomic DNA was isolated from leaf tissue of the B. napus winter         oilseed rape variety Darmor (hereinafter called “WOSR Darmor”)         according to the cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB) method         (Doyle and Doyle, 1987, Phytochemistry Bulletin 19:11-15).     -   The DNA concentration of each preparation was estimated by         comparing the band intensity of 1 μl of each sample to the band         intensity of 1, 2, 4, 8 and 20 μl of a solution containing 25         ng/μl Lambda DNA (Life Technologies®) on a 1% TBE (Invitrogen®)         agarose gel (Roche®) containing ethidiumbromide (ICN         Biochemicals®).     -   100-200 ng (for WOSR Express) or 10 ng (for SOSR) of BAC clone         DNA and 1.7 μg genomic DNA isolated from WOSR Darmor were         digested with restriction enzymes AseI and EcoRV in a final         reaction volume of 20 μl, applying conditions proposed by the         manufacturer (New England Biolabs). The time of digestion and/or         amount of restriction enzyme were adjusted to ensure complete         digestion of the genomic DNA samples without non-specific         degradation.     -   After digestion, 2 μl of loading dye containing RNase (12.5 ml         1% xylene cyanol FF; 12.5 ml 1% bromophenol blue water soluble         indicator; 25 ml glycerol; 100 μl 0.5M EDTA pH8; 1 μl RNase (10         mg/ml)) was added to the digested DNA samples and the samples         were incubated for 30 min at 37° C.     -   The samples were loaded on a 1% TAE agarose gel.     -   Phage Lambda DNA (Fermentas®) digested with PstI (which         generates 29 fragments (in bp): 11501, 5077, 4749, 4507, 2838,         2556, 2459, 2443, 2140, 1986, 1700, 1159, 1093, 805, 514, 468,         448, 339, 264, 247, 216, 211, 200, 164, 150, 94, 87, 72,         15—fragments in italic are not visible in standard         electrophoresis) (for WOSR Express) or 1 kbp DNA Ladder (Life         Technologies) (for SOSR) was included as size standard.     -   After electrophoresis, the DNA samples (digested BAC clone and         genomic DNA) were transferred to a nylon membrane (Hybond-N+         Amersham Pharmacia Biotech®) by dry alkali capillary blotting.     -   The nylon membranes with digested BAC clone and genomic DNA were         screened by standard Southern hybridization procedures as         described above for the BAC library screenings, except that for         the genomic DNA the Kodak XOMAT AR films were exposed to the         radioactive blots for 2 days at −70° C.     -   Based on a comparison between the hybridization patterns         obtained after digestion of BAC clone DNA of the identified         positive colonies and of genomic DNA isolated from Brassica         napus WOSR Darmor with restriction enzymes AseI and EcoRV and         hybridization with the 5′ At FATB1 probe (SEQ ID NO: 25) (see         Table 14) and the number of BAC clones displaying a particular         restriction pattern, the BAC clones were grouped in 6 groups and         for each of the 6 groups a BAC clone was selected containing a         full-length FATB sequence (named FATB1 to 6).     -   The FATB sequences comprised in the BAC clones of the selected         positive colonies were determined by standard sequencing         techniques (Agowa).

TABLE 14 Hybridization pattern of digested BAC clone and genomic DNA hybridized to the 5′ AtFATB1 probe (SEQ ID NO: 25) DNA sample: Genomic BAC clone BAC clone DNA from DNA from DNA from WOSR Darmor WOSR Express SOSR Corresponds restricted with: Estimated length of the hybridizing DNA fragments: to AseI 2.2 2.2 2.2 FATB1 8.8 8.8 4.5 FATB2 2.4 5.5 2.4 FATB3 2.2 2.2 2.2 FATB4 3.0 3.0 3.0 FATB5 1.7 1.7 1.7 FATB6(a) 0.8 0.8 0.8 FATB6(b) EcoRV 12 11 FATB1 2.7 2.7 FATB2 3.5 3.5 FATB3(a) 0.65 0.65 FATB3(b) 4.5 4.5 FATB4 2.9 2.9 FATB5 4.2 4.2 FATB6

The presence of 6 distinct groups of BAC clones was confirmed by AFLP analysis on the BAC clone DNA of the identified positive colonies and of genomic DNA isolated from Brassica napus WOSR Darmor (Vos et al., 1995, Nucleic Acids Research 23 (21):4407-4414).

Example 2 Characterization of FATB Gene Sequences from Brassica napus

After sequencing, the coding regions of the FATB sequences were determined with FgeneSH (Softberry, Inc. Mount Kisco, N.Y., USA) and est2genome (Rice et al., 2000, Trends in Genetics 16 (6): 276-277; Mott, 1997, Comput. Applic. 13:477-478) as depicted in the sequence listing.

Alignment of the different FATB sequences with partial FATB sequences isolated from B. rapa (AA) and B. oleracea (CC) indicated that the FATB1, FATB2, and FATB3 sequences originated from the A genome and the FATB4, FATB5, and FATB6 sequences from the C genome.

Multi-way alignment (Align Plus program—Scientific & Educational Software, USA; using the following default parameters: mismatch penalty=2, open gap penalty=4, extend gap penalty=1; for nucleotides the default scoring matrix used is Standard linear and for proteins the default scoring matrix is BLOSUM62) of the different FATB coding regions with or without intron sequences and FATB amino acid sequences showed that FATB1 and FATB4, FATB2 and FATB5, and FATB3 and FATB6 are more related to each other than to the other FATB genes, indicating that they are homeologous genes.

Based on these analyses, the sequences FATB1-FATB6 were renamed as FATB-A1, FATB-A2, FATB-A3, FATB-C1, FATB-C2 and FATB-C3, respectively, and this designation is used throughout the specification. Both protein and nucleic acid sequences of WOSR and SOSR Brassica napus genes are provided herein.

WOSR Sequences

The genomic sequences, i.e. the protein encoding regions of FATB-A1 to FATB-A3 and FATB-C1 to FATB-C3 including the intron sequences, of WOSR Express are represented in SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:7, SEQ ID NO:9, and SEQ ID NO:11, respectively. The, by these nucleic acid sequence encoded, FATB-A1 to FATB-A3 and FATB-C1 to FATB-C3 protein sequences are depicted in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:8, SEQ ID NO:10, and SEQ ID NO:12, respectively.

SOSR Sequences

The genomic sequences, i.e. the protein encoding regions of FATB-A1 to FATB-A3 and FATB-C1 to FATB-C3 including the intron sequences, of SOSR are represented in SEQ ID NO: 13, SEQ ID NO: 15, SEQ ID NO: 17, SEQ ID NO: 19, SEQ ID NO:21, and SEQ ID NO:23. The, by these nucleic acid sequences encoded, FATB-A1 to FATB-A3 and FATB-C1 to FATB-C3 protein sequences are in SEQ ID NO: 14, SEQ ID NO: 16, SEQ ID NO: 18, SEQ ID NO: 20, SEQ ID NO: 22, and SEQ ID NO: 24, respectively.

Table 15 shows the percentage (nucleotide) sequence identity between the different FATB coding regions of WOSR Express (Table 15a) and SOSR (Table 15b), with and without intron sequences, and shows the higher degree of relatedness between the homologous FATB-A1 and FATB-C1, FATB-A2 and FATB-C2, and FATB-A3 and FATB-C3 (see underlines values) and indicates that the different FATB genes are more conserved in the exon than in the intron sequences.

TABLE 15a Percentage (nucleotide) sequence identity between the different FATB coding regions obtained from WOSR Express, with/without intron sequences % sequence identity FATB-A1 FATB-A2 FATB-A3 FATB-C1 FATB-C2 FATB-C3 FATB-A1 100/100 75.0/82.5 75.4/87.6 91.3/94.8 71.4/85.7 68.5/87.3 FATB-A2 100/100 70.6/83.0 77.5/83.4 85.2/94.3 64.4/83.3 FATB-A3 100/100 75.3/88.0 67.4/85.4 83.5/96.7 FATB-C1 100/100 73.0/86.6 68.5/88.0 FATB-C2 100/100 61.2/86.0 FATB-C3 100/100

TABLE 15b Percentage (nucleotide) sequence identity between the different FATB coding regions obtained from SOSR with/without intron sequences % identity FATB-A1 FATB-A2 FATB-A3 FATB-C1 FATB-C2 FATB-C3 FATB-A1 100/100 76.1/84.1 75.6/87.6 91.4/94.8 71.4/85.7 68.6/87.5 FATB-A2 100/100 72.3/84.8 78.8/85.3 86.6/96.4 65.3/85.1 FATB-A3 100/100 76.1/87.9 68.0/85.3 84.2/96.4 FATB-C1 100/100 73.0/86.7 68.7/88.0 FATB-C2 100/100 61.1/86.0 FATB-C3 100/100

Table 16, below, shows the percentage (nucleotide) sequence identity between the different FATB coding regions (with/without intron sequences) obtained from WOSR Express (W) and SOSR (S) and shows that the higher degree of relatedness between the homeologous FATB-A1 and FATB-C1, FATB-A2 and FAT-C2, and FATB-A3 and FATB-C3 is conserved between different Brassica napus varieties or breeding lines (see underlines values), i.e., the percentage of sequence identity between the homeologous FATB-A1 and FATB-C1, for example, between sequences from different varieties is higher than the percentage sequence identity between these FATB genes and the other FATB genes of the same variety.

In addition, it can be seen that there is a high percentage sequence identity between WOSR and SOSR alleles of the same gene (e.g. FATB-A1 from WOSR and FATB-A1 from SOSR; see bold values), indicating that Brassica napus varieties and breeding lines have closely related FATB alleles in their genomes.

TABLE 16 Sequence identity between the different FATB coding regions with/without intron sequences of WOSR Express (W) and of SOSR (S) FATB-A1 FATB-A2 FATB-A3 FATB-C1 FATB-C2 FATB-C3 % identity (W) (W) (W) (W) (W) (W) FATB-A1 (S) 99.7/99.6 76.3/84.3 75.4/87.4 91.2/94.6 71.4/85.7 68.4/87.2 FATB-A2 (S) 74.8/82.3 98.3/97.8 71.2/82.9 77.5/83.4 85.2/94.3 64.3/83.2 FATB-A3 (S) 75.6/87.9 71.7/84.9 97.8/98.6 75.4/88.0 67.4/85.4 83.4/96.6 FATB-C1 (S) 91.5/95.0 78.8/85.3 76.0/88.0 99.8/99.7 73.0/86.6 68.5/87.9 FATB-C2 (S) 71.4/85.7 86.6/96.4 68.0/85.3 73.0/86.7 100/100 61.1/86.0 FATB-C3 (S) 68.7/87.5 65.3/85.2 84.3/96.5 68.6/87.9 61.2/86.0 99.9/99.9

Table 17a and b show the percentage (amino acid) sequence identity between the different FATB amino acid sequences of WOSR Express (Table 17a) and SOSR (Table 17b).

TABLE 17a Percentage sequence identity between the different FATB amino acid sequences of WOSR Express % identity FATB-A1 FATB-A2 FATB-A3 FATB-C1 FATB-C2 FATB-C3 FATB-A1 100.0 86.5 90.2 96.2 88.5 89.3 FATB-A2 100.0 85.0 86.8 95.3 83.8 FATB-A3 100.0 89.7 87.6 98.6 FATB-C1 100.0  88.9 88.7 FATB-C2 100.0  86.4 FATB-C3 100.0 

TABLE 17b Percentage sequence identity between the different FATB amino acid sequences of SOSR % identity FATB-A1 FATB-A2 FATB-A3 FATB-C1 FATB-C2 FATB-C3 FATB-A1 100.0 89.0 90.1 96.6 89.0 89.7 FATB-A2 100.0 87.3 88.9 98.6 86.6 FATB-A3 100.0 89.4 87.3 97.8 FATB-C1 100.0  88.9 88.7 FATB-C2 100.0  86.4 FATB-C3 100.0 

Table 18 shows the percentage (amino acid) sequence identity between the different FATB amino acid sequences of WOSR Express (W) and of SOSR (S). The percentages sequence identity indicate that FATB-A1 and FATB-C1, FATB-A2 and FATB-C2, and FATB-A3 and FATB-C3, are homeologues genes (see underlines values) and that the higher degree of, relatedness between these homeologues is conserved between different varieties.

In addition, it can be seen that there is a high percentage sequence identity between WOSR and SOSR proteins of the same FATB gene (e.g. FATB-A1 from WOSR and FATB-A1 from SOSR; see bold values), indicating that Brassica napus varieties and breeding lines have closely related FATB alleles in their genomes, encoding the same or highly similar proteins.

TABLE 18 Percentage sequence identity between the different FATB amino acid sequences of WOSR Express (W) and of SOSR (S) FATB-A1 FATB-A2 FATB-A3 FATB-C1 FATB-C2 FATB-C3 % identity (W) (W) (W) (W) (W) (W) FATB-A1 (S) 99.5 88.6 89.7 96.2 88.5 89.3 FATB-A2 (S) 86.9 96.5 84.5 86.8 95.3 83.8 FATB-A3 (S) 90.7 87.8 99.3 89.7 87.6 98.6 FATB-C1 (S) 96.6 88.9 89.4 100.0  88.9 88.7 FATB-C2 (S) 89.0 98.6 87.3 88.9 100.0  86.4 FATB-C3 (S) 89.7 86.6 97.8 88.7 86.4 100.0 

Example 3 Expression of Brassica FATB Genes

To analyze the expression of the different FATB genes in different tissues, semi-quantitative RT-PCR assays specific for each FATB gene were performed on total RNA isolated from various Brassica plant tissues:

Templates:

-   -   A series of increasing amounts of total RNA, i.e., 0.1 ng, 1 ng,         10 ng and 100 ng, isolated from leaves, roots, unopened flower         buds and apices, cotyledons, pods 11 days after anthesis with         and without seeds and seeds of those pods, seeds of pods 21 and         34 days after anthesis and callus of Brassica napus SOSR, with         the RNeasy Plant Minikit (Qiagen) according to the         manufacturer's instructions.     -   A series of increasing amounts of genomic DNA, i.e., 0.1 ng, 1         ng, and 10 ng, isolated from leaf tissue of the Brassica napus         SOSR according to the CTAB method (Doyle and Doyle, 1987,         Phytochemistry Bulletin 19:11-15).         Primers and Length of the Fragment Amplified from the Target         FATB Gene:     -   to determine the expression of the FATB-A1 gene (SEQ ID NO:13):

(SEQ ID NO: 31) Forward: 5′-CTGATAACGAGACGTCCTCAC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 32) Reverse: 5′-CATCCTGGAGACGGAGCAGG-3′ → 957 bp for FATB-A1 RNA template and → 1275 bp for FATB-A1 genomic DNA template

-   -   to determine the expression of the FATB-A2 gene (SEQ ID NO:15):

Forward: 5′-CTGCCTGACTGGAGTATGCTG-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 33) Reverse: 5′-GTTGTTGCTCCTGTCTTGGAG-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 34) → 956 bp for FATB-A2 RNA template and → 1340 bp for FATB-A2 genomic DNA template

-   -   to determine the expression of the FATB-A3 gene (SEQ ID NO:17):

Forward: 5′-GCAGTGGATGATGCTTGATAC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 35) Reverse: 5′-CAAGTCGTTGATGGTGTTTTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 36) → 900 bp for FATB-A3 RNA template and → 1367 bp for FATB-A3 genomic DNA template

-   -   to determine the expression of the FATB-C1 gene (SEQ ID NO:19):

Forward: 5′-CTGCCTGACTGGAGCATGCTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 37) Reverse: 5′-GTTCTTCCTCTCACCACTTCG-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 38/67) → 926 bp for FATB-C1 RNA template and → 1259 bp for FATB-C1 genomic DNA template

-   -   to determine the expression of the FATB-C2 gene (SEQ ID NO:21):

Forward: 5′-ATCGTTCAGGATGGTCTTGTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 39) Reverse: 5′-GCAGTCTTGTCATCAAGTTTG-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 40) → 500 bp for FATB-C2 RNA template and → 937 bp for FATB-C2 genomic DNA template

-   -   to determine the expression of the FATB-C3 gene (SEQ ID NO:23):

Forward: 5′-ACAGTGGATGATGCTTGACTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 41) Reverse: 5′-CGAACATAGTCAGCAGTCTTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 42) → 582 bp for FATB-C3 RNA template and → 1151 bp for FATB-C3 genomic DNA template. PCR Mix:

-   -   for RT-PCR on RNA (prepared with Superscript™ III One-Step         RT-PCR System with Platinum® Taq DNA polymerase         (Invitrogen)):12.5 μl 2× reaction mix, 1 μl Superscript™         III/Platinum® Taq DNA polymerase, 9.5 μl Milli-Q H₂O, 1 μl RNA         (0.1 ng/μl, 1 ng/μl, 10 ng/μl and 100 ng/μl), 0.5 μl forward         primer (20 μM), 0.5 μl reverse primer (20 μM))=Total volume of         25 μl;     -   for PCR on genomic DNA: 12.5 μl 2× reaction mix, 0.41 Platinum®         Taq DNA polymerase (5 U/μl; Invitrogen), 0.5 μl forward primer         (20 μM), 0.5 μl reverse primer (20 μM), 1 μl DNA (0.1 ng/μl, 1         ng/μl and 10 ng/μl), 10.3 μl Milli-Q H₂O=Total volume of 25 μl;

Thermocycling profile: 30 min at 55° C. (cDNA synthesis), 2 min at 94° C.; 30× [15 sec at 94° C. (denaturation) and 30 sec at 57° C. (annealing) and 2 min at 68° C. (elongation)]; 5 min at 68° C.; cool down to 10° C.

After amplification, 5 μl loading dye (2.5 ml 0.1% bromophenol blue, 2.5 ml 0.1% xyleencyanol, 5 ml glycerol, 50 μl 0.5M EDTA pH8) was added to the PCR samples and 15 μl of the samples were loaded on a 1% TAE (10×(400 mM Tris-Acetate+100 mM EDTA); Invitrogen®) agarose (Roche®) gel containing ethidiumbromide together with an appropriate molecular weight marker (1 Kb DNA ladder, GibcoBRL® Life Technologies).

The banding patterns obtained after amplification of the total RNA from different tissues and the genomic DNA of Brassica napus SOSR with the FATB gene-specific primers were evaluated as follows:

-   -   Data from the RNA samples within a single RT-PCR run and a         single RT-PCR mix were not accepted unless the PCR products and         the RT-PCR products (if any, in the case of the RT-PCR products;         see below) amplified from the series of increasing amounts of         genomic DNA and total RNA, respectively, showed the fragment         lengths expected for the target FATB gene (as indicated above)         and increased in amount proportionally to the increasing amount         of template DNA and RNA, respectively.     -   Lanes comprising no RT-PCR products amplified from the series of         increasing amounts of total RNA for the specific target FATB         gene of the expected size, indicate that the specific target         FATB gene is not expressed or expressed at very low levels in         the corresponding tissue from which the template RNA was         prepared.     -   Lanes comprising RT-PCR products amplified from the series of         increasing amounts of total RNA for the specific target FATB         gene of the expected size, indicate that the specific target         FATB gene is expressed in the corresponding tissue from which         the template RNA was prepared.

To determine the level of expression of each FATB gene in a specific tissue relative to the level of expression of the other FATB genes in that specific tissue, the intensity of the bands observed on the electrophoresis gel (resulting from ethidiumbromide staining of the DNA and observed under UV light) of the FATB RT-PCR products were compared with the intensity of the bands observed on the electrophoresis gel of the FATB PCR products amplified from the series of increasing amounts of genomic DNA.

Results

All FATB genes were expressed in all tissues analyzed (+ in Table 19). The level of expression of each FATB gene in leaves and seeds of pods of 11, 21 and 34 days (based on 10 ng RNA) expressed as the amount of genomic DNA (in ng) which generated a band intensity comparable with the band intensity of the FATB gene-specific RT-PCR product (as explained above) is indicated between brackets in Table 20.

TABLE 20 Tissue FATB-A1 FATB-A2 FATB-A3 FATB-C1 FATB-C2 FATB-C3 Leaf + (0.1) + (5) + (>10) + (<0.1) + (5) + (10) Root + + + + + + Unopened + + + + + + flowerbud + apex Cotyledons + + + + + + Callus + + + + + + Pods 11d without + + + + + + seed Pods 11d with seed + + + + + + Seed from pods 11d + (<0.1) + (1) + (10) + (<0.1) + (5) + (1) Pods 21d without + + + + + + seed Pods 21d with seed + + + + + + Seed from pods 21d + (0.1) + (1) + (1) + (0.1) + (5) + (1) Pods 34d without + + + + + + seed Seed from pods 34d + (<0.01) + (0.05) + (0.05) + (0.05) + (0.5) + (0.05)

The timing (11, 21 and 34 days after anthesis) and the level of expression of each FATB gene in seed (based on 10 ng RNA) expressed as the amount of genomic DNA (in ng) which generated a band intensity comparable with the band intensity of the FATB gene-specific RT-PCR product (as explained above) is indicated in FIG. 1.

Example 4 Generation and Isolation of Mutant Brassica FATB Alleles (fatB)

Mutations in the FATB genes identified in Example 1 were generated and identified using the following approaches, described below. In section 4.1 the generation of fatB alleles which comprise deletions of one or more nucleotides, e.g. lacking parts or whole of the fatB allele (“deletion mutants”), is described. In section 4.2 the generation and isolation of fatB alleles comprising STOP codon mutations (“non-sense mutants”) and/or one or more splice site mutations is described.

4.1 Generation of and Screening for fatB Deletion Mutants

-   -   Seeds from a Brassica napus SOSR (wild type, referred to as “M0”         seeds) were mutagenized using the fast neutron mutagenesis         approach as described in the art to generate a mutant seed         population (referred to as “M1” seeds).     -   60,000 M1 plants were grown and selfed. The resulting M2 seeds         were harvested for each individual M1 plant.     -   1000 M2 plants, derived from different M1 plants, were grown and         DNA samples were prepared from leaf samples of each individual         M2 plant according to the CTAB method (Doyle and Doyle, 1987,         Phytochemistry Bulletin 19:11-15). The M2 plants were selfed to         obtain M3 seeds.     -   The concentration of the DNA samples was estimated as described         in Example 1. 1.7 μg of genomic DNA was digested with         restriction enzymes AseI and EcoRV in a final reaction volume of         20 μl, under the following conditions (enzymes and buffers from         New England Biolabs®):         -   AseI digest: 17 μl DNA (100 ng/μl), 1 μl AseI (10 U/μl), 2             μl NEB3 buffer         -   EcoRV digest: 17 μl DNA (100 ng/μl), 1 μl EcoRI (10 U/μl), 2             μl NEB3 buffer, 0.2 μl 100× Bovine Serum Albumin     -   incubated overnight at 37° C. or for 4 hours at 37° C.     -   After digestion, 2 μl of loading dye containing RNase (12.5 ml         1% xylene cyanol FF; 12.5 ml 1% bromophenol blue water soluble         indicator; 25 ml glycerol; 100 μl 0.5M EDTA pH8; 1 μl RNase (10         mg/ml)) was added to the digested DNA samples and the samples         were incubated for 30 min at 37° C. The samples were loaded on a         1% TAE (Invitrogen®) agarose gel. Phage Lambda DNA (Fermentas®)         digested with restriction enzyme PstI (which generates 29         fragments (in bp): 11501, 5077, 4749, 4507, 2838, 2556, 2459,         2443, 2140, 1986, 1700, 1159, 1093, 805, 514, 468, 448, 339,         264, 247, 216, 211, 200, 164, 150, 94, 87, 72, 15 (fragments in         italic are not visible in standard electrophoresis) was included         as size standard.     -   After electrophoresis, the DNA samples (digested genomic DNA)         were transferred to a nylon membrane (Hybond-N+ Amersham         Pharmacia Biotech®) by dry alkali capillary blotting. The nylon         membranes with digested genomic DNA were screened by standard         Southern hybridization procedures as described in Example 1 for         the genomic DNA with the 5′ At FATB1 probe (SEQ ID NO: 25).         Kodak XOMAT AR films were exposed to the radioactive blots for 2         days at −70° C.         Results

The hybridization patterns obtained after digestion of genomic DNA of M2 Brassica plants with AseI and EcoRV and hybridization with the 5′ At FATB1 probe (SEQ ID NO: 25) were compared with the hybridization patterns obtained after digestion of genomic DNA of wild-type Brassica SOSR plants with AseI and EcoRV and hybridization with the 5′ At FATB1 probe (SEQ ID NO: 25) (Table 21). To determine the correspondence between the hybridizing DNA fragments and the different FATB genes, the latter hybridization pattern was compared with the hybridization pattern of the BAC clone DNA with a full-length sequence of one of the FATB genes identified in Example 1 digested with AseI and EcoRV and hybridized to the 5′ At FATB1 probe (SEQ ID NO: 25) (see Table 14 above).

TABLE 21 Hybridization pattern of digested genomic DNA from Brassica napus hybridized to the 5′ AtFATB1 probe Migration of hybridizing DNA Estimated fragments between size marker bands length of the Genomic DNA Larger than Smaller than hybridizing Corresponds restricted with (kbp) (kbp) DNA fragments. to AseI 2.1 2.4 2.2 FATB-A1 2.8 4.7 4.5 FATB-A2 2.1 2.5 2.4 FATB-A3 2.1 2.4 2.2 FATB-C1 2.8 4.5 3.0 FATB-C2 1.1 2.0 1.7 FATB-C3(a) 0.5 1.1 0.8 FATB-C3(b) EcoRV 5.1 11.5 11 FATB-A1 2.6 2.8 2.7 FATB-A2 2.8 4.5 3.5 FATB-A3(a) 0.5 0.8 0.65 FATB-A3(b) 2.8 4.7 4.5 FATB-C1 2.8 4.5 2.9 FATB-C2 2.8 4.5 4.2 FATB-C3

Absence of one of the hybridizing DNA fragments indicated in Table 21 indicated that complete FATB alleles were deleted in the mutagenized plants with the fast neutron mutagenesis approach.

Homozygous M2 Brassica plants comprising a fatB deletion thus identified and the missing hybridizing DNA fragment are indicated in Table 22.

TABLE 22 Missing hybridizing DNA fragment: Migration of missing Estimated Genomic hybridizing DNA fragments length of the DNA between size marker bands missing Mutated restricted Larger than Smaller than hybridizing M2 Plant FATB allele with (kbp) (kbp) DNA fragments. No. Allele No. FATB-A1 AseI 2.1 2.4 2.2 LOSA018 FATB-A1-FN1 (SEQ ID NO: 13) EcoRV 5.1 11.5 11 FATB-A2 AseI 2.8 4.7 4.5 LOSA002, FATB-A2-FN1, (SEQ ID NO: 15) EcoRV 2.6 2.8 2.7 LOSA003, FATB-A2-FN2, LOSA005 FATB-A2-FN3 FATB-C2 AseI 2.4 4.5 3 LOSA004 FATB-C2-FN1 (SEQ ID NO: 21) EcoRV 2.8 4.5 2.9

The absence of a specific FATB allele in the homozygous M2 Brassica plants was confirmed by the following PCR assays:

-   -   Template DNA:         -   Genomic DNA isolated from leaf material of the M2 Brassica             plants identified to comprise a deletion in or of a specific             FATB gene (“FATBx”).         -   Positive control: BAC clone DNA of FATBx gene (Successful             amplification of this positive control demonstrates that the             PCR was run under conditions which allow for the             amplification of the specific target FATBx sequence).         -   Negative controls: BAC clone DNA of FATB genes different             from the FATBx gene (When the expected result, i.e., no             amplification of the specific FATBx PCR product, is             observed, this indicates that there is no detectable             background amplification of other FATB genes).         -   A wild-type DNA control: This is a PCR in which the template             DNA provided is genomic DNA prepared from a M2 Brassica             plant without a deletion of the FATBx gene. When the             expected result, i.e., only amplification of the specific             FATBx PCR product, is observed this indicates that there is             no detectable background amplification, e.g., of other FATB             genes, in a genomic DNA sample.     -   Primers and length of the fragment amplified from the wild-type         target FATBx gene (“FATBx-specific PCR fragment”):         -   to confirm the presence of a deletion in or of the FATB-A1             gene (SEQ ID NO: 13):

Forward: 5′-CTGATAACGAGACGTCCTCAC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 31) Reverse: 5′-CAGTCTTAACATGGTTGAGTG-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 43) → 403 bp

-   -   -   to confirm the presence of a deletion in or of the FATB-A2             gene (SEQ ID NO: 15):

Forward: 5′-CATGTTCCATCTTCTTCCTCG-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 44) Reverse: 5′-TATTGGGACAACATGTGAGTG-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 45) → 513 bp

-   -   -   to confirm the presence of a deletion in or of the FATB-A3             gene (SEQ ID NO: 17):

Forward: 5′-GCAGTGGATGATGCTTGATAC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 35) Reverse: 5′-TTCTTCTTAACCATCTCAGGT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 46) → 487 bp

-   -   -   to confirm the presence of a deletion in or of the FATB-C1             gene (SEQ ID NO: 19):

Forward: 5′-CTGCCTGACTGGAGCATGCTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 37) Reverse: 5′-CCAAACCCATCTCCAAGCAGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 47) → 367 bp

-   -   -   to confirm the presence of a deletion in or of the FATB-C2             gene (SEQ ID NO: 21):

Forward: 5′-ATCGTTCAGGATGGTCTTGTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 39) Reverse: 5′-TAACTCACAACGAGAACCAGG-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 48) → 397 bp

-   -   -   to confirm the presence of a deletion in or of the FATB-C3             gene (SEQ ID NO: 23):

Forward: 5′-ACAGTGGATGATGCTTGACTC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 41) Reverse: 5′-CTTTGATAATCTCCTTGTCAC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 49) → 1035 bp

-   -   PCR mix: 2.5 μl 10×PCR buffer, 0.25 μl dNTP's (20 μM), 0.5 μl         forward primer (10 μM), 0.5 μl reverse primer (10 μM), 0.25 μl         Taq-polymerase (5 U/μl), 20 μl Milli-Q H₂O, 1 μA DNA (50         ng/μl)=Total volume of 25 μl;     -   Thermocycling profile: 4 min at 94° C.; 25× [1 min at 94° C.         (denaturation) and 1 min at 57° C. (annealing) and 2 min at         72° C. (elongation)]; 5 min at 72° C.; cool down to 4° C.     -   After amplification, 5 μl loading dye (2.5 ml 0.1% bromophenol         blue, 2.5 ml 0.1% xyleencyanol, 5 ml glycerol, 50 μl 0.5M EDTA         pH8) was added to the PCR samples and the samples were loaded on         a 1% TAE (10×(400 mM Tris-Acetate+100 mM EDTA); Invitrogen®)         agarose (Roche®) gel together with an appropriate molecular         weight marker (100 bp DNA marker; Invitrogen®).     -   The banding patterns obtained after amplification of genomic DNA         of M2 Brassica plants with the FATBx-specific primers were         evaluated as follows:     -   Data from DNA samples isolated from leaf material of the M2         Brassica plants identified to comprise a deletion mutation in or         of a FATBx gene within a single PCR run and a single PCR mix         should not be acceptable unless:         -   the negative controls are negative for PCR amplification (no             fragments),         -   the positive control shows the expected PCR product             (specific FATBx fragment),         -   the wild-type DNA control shows the expected result (only             specific FATBx fragment).     -   Lanes showing no PCR product for the specific FATBx gene of the         expected size, indicate that the corresponding plant from which         the genomic template DNA was prepared, comprises a deletion in         or of the specific FATBx gene.     -   Lanes showing the PCR product for the specific FATBx gene of the         expected size, indicate that the corresponding plant from which         the genomic template DNA was prepared, does not comprise a         deletion in or of a FATBx gene.

It was confirmed that homozygous M2 plant No. LOSA018 comprises a deletion of FATB-A1, homozygous M2 plant Nrs. LOSA002, 3, 5 comprise a deletion of FATB-A2, and homozygous M2 plant Nr. LOSA004 comprises a deletion of FATB-C2.

4.2 Generation and Isolation of FATB Alleles Comprising One or More Point Mutations

-   -   30,000 seeds from Brassica napus SOSR (M0 seeds) were preimbibed         for two hours on wet filter paper in deionized or distilled         water. Half of the seeds were exposed to 0.8% EMS and half to 1%         EMS (Sigma: M0880) and incubated for 4 hours.     -   The mutagenized seeds (M1 seeds) were rinsed 3 times and dried         in a fume hood overnight. 30,000 M1 plants were grown in soil         and selfed to generate M2 seeds. M2 seeds were harvested for         each individual M1 plant.     -   Two times 4800 M2 plants, derived from different M1 plants, were         grown and DNA samples were prepared from leaf samples of each         individual M2 plant according to the CTAB method (Doyle and         Doyle, 1987, Phytochemistry Bulletin 19:11-15). The M2 plants         were selfed to obtain M3 seeds.     -   The DNA samples were screened for the presence of point         mutations in the FATB genes causing the introduction of STOP         codons or mutations of splice sites by direct sequencing by         standard sequencing techniques (Agowa) and analyzing the         sequences for the presence of the point mutations using the         NovoSNP software (VIB Antwerp).     -   The following mutant FATB alleles (fatB) were thus identified:

TABLE 23a STOP codon mutations in FATB genes of SOSR Amino Wild type Mutated Exon acid Nucleotide → mutant M2 Plant FATB gene number position position codon No. Allele No. FATB-A1 exon 1 93 279 tgg → tga LOSA101, FATB-A1-EMS01, (SEQ ID LOSA103, FATB-A1-EMS02, NO: 13) LOSA102 FATB-A1-EMS03 exon 1 111 333 tgg → tga LOSA104 FATB-A1-EMS05⁽¹⁾ exon 1 116 348 tgg → tga LOSA105 FATB-A1-EMS06⁽²⁾ FATB-A2 exon 1 94 282 tgg → tga LOSA111, FATB-A2-EMSO4, (SEQ ID LOSA112 FATB-A2-EMS05⁽³⁾ NO: 15) exon 1 136 406 cag → tag LOSA108 FATB-A2-EMS01⁽²⁾ FATB-A3 exon 2 205 845 cag → tag LOSA114 FATB-A3-EMS01⁽¹⁾ (SEQ ID NO: 17) FATB-C1 exon 2 196 668 tgg → tga LOSA129 FATB-C1-EMS05^((2,3)) (SEQ ID NO: 19) FATB-C2 exon 1 79 235 cag → tag LOSA119 FATB-C2-EMS02⁽³⁾ (SEQ ID exon 1 111 331 cag → tag LOSA122 FATB-C2-EMS05 NO: 21) exon 1 112 336 tgg → tga LOSA120, FATB-C2-EMS03⁽²⁾, LOSA123 FATB-C2-EMS06 ⁽¹⁾Seeds comprising FATB-A1-EMS05, FATB-A3-EMS01, FATB-C1-EMS04 and FATB-C3-EMS02 (designated 08MBBN000584) have been deposited at the NCIMB Limited (Ferguson Building, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB21 9YA, UK) on Jun. 27, 2008, under accession number NCIMB 41568. ⁽²⁾Seeds comprising FATB-A1-EMS06, FATB-A2-EMS01, FATB-C1-EMS05 and FATB-C2-EMS03 (designated 08MBBN000572) have been deposited at the NCIMB Limited (Ferguson Building, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB21 9YA, UK) on Jun. 27, 2008, under accession number NCIMB 41567. ⁽³⁾Seeds comprising FATB-A2-EMS05, FATB-C1-EMS05 and FATB-C2-EMS02 (designated 08MBBN000553) have been deposited at the NCIMB Limited (Ferguson Building, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB21 9YA, UK) on Jun. 27, 2008, under accession number NCIMB 41566.

TABLE 23b Splice site mutations in FATB genes of SOSR Mutated Nucleotide Wild type → M2 Plant FATB gene Intron number position mutant codon No. Allele No. FATB-A1 intron 1 - donor 502 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . LOSA106 FATB-A1-EMS07 (SEQ ID intron 1 - acceptor 587 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a LOSA107 FATB-A1-EMS09 NO: 13) FATB-A2 intron 1 - donor 505 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . LOSA109 FATB-A2-EMS02 (SEQ ID 504 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . LOSA110 FATB-A2-EMS03 NO: 15) FATB-C1 intron 1 - donor 498 g[gt . . . → a[gt . . . LOSA128 FATB-C1-EMS04⁽¹⁾ (SEQ ID NO: 19) FATB-C2 intron 1 - acceptor 581 . . . ag]g → . . . ag]a LOSA121 FATB-C2-EMS04 (SEQ ID NO: 21) FATB-C3 intron 1 - donor 508 g[gt . . . → g[at . . . LOSA125 FATB-C3-EMS02⁽¹⁾ (SEQ ID NO: 23) ⁽¹⁾Seeds comprising FATB-A1-EMS05, FATB-A3-EMS01, FATB-C1-EMS04 and FATB-C3-EMS02 (designated 08MBBN000584) have been deposited at the NCIMB Limited (Ferguson Building, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB21 9YA, UK) on Jun. 27, 2008, under accession number NCIMB 41568

In conclusion, the above examples show how mutant FATB alleles can be generated and isolated. Also, plant material comprising such mutant alleles can be used to combine the desired mutant and/or wild type alleles in a plant, as described in the following examples.

Example 5 Identification of a Brassica Plant Comprising a Mutant Brassica FATB Allele

Brassica plants comprising the mutations in the FATB genes identified in Example 5 were identified as follows:

5.1. Identification of Brassica Plants Comprising a Deletion of a FATB Allele

-   -   For each homozygous M2 plant identified to comprise a deletion         of a FATB gene, M3 plants were grown and DNA samples were         prepared from leaf samples of each individual M3 plant     -   On each DNA sample of each individual M3 plant a PCR assay         specific for the FATB gene identified to comprise a deletion         mutation (as described in Example 4.1) was performed.     -   Homozygous M3 plants comprising the identified mutation were         selfed and M4 seeds were harvested.         5.2. Identification of Brassica Plants Comprising a Point         Mutation in a FATB Gene     -   For each mutant FATB gene identified in the DNA sample of an M2         plant, 50 M2 plants derived from the same M1 plant as the M2         plant comprising the FATB mutation were grown and DNA samples         were prepared from leaf samples of each individual M2 plant.     -   The DNA samples were screened for the presence of the identified         point FATB mutation as described above in Example 4.2.     -   Heterozygous and homozygous (as determined based on the         electropherograms) M2 plants comprising the same mutation were         selfed and M3 seeds were harvested.

Example 6 Analysis of the Fatty Acid Composition of the Seed Oil of Brassica Plants Comprising a Mutant Brassica FATB Gene

To determine the correlation between the presence of the mutant FATB genes in Brassica plants and the fatty acid composition of the seed oil of the Brassica plants, the fatty acid composition of the seed oil of Brassica plants comprising mutant FATB gene(s) was analyzed by extracting the fatty acyls from the seeds and analyzing their relative levels in the seed oil by capillary gas-liquid chromatography as follows:

-   -   Seed samples were dried and weighed. 0.8 g of seeds was put into         plastic vials. A steel crushing rod was added to each vial. This         vial was then filled with 2 ml methylation solution (10 g sodium         methoxide in 500 ml methanol) and 0.8 ml of petroleum ether. The         capped vials were shaken for 30 min on an Eberbach shaker. One         ml of de-ionized water was added to each vial before recapping         and shaking. The vials were centrifuged for 5 min at 3500 rpm.     -   25-50 μl of the petroleum ether layer from each sample were         transferred into Gas Chromatography (GC) autosampler vials. 100         μl 0.4 M phosphate buffer and 800 μl petroleum ether were added         to each vial before shaking them. 0.4 to 0.6 μl of the petroleum         ether layer of the samples were injected for analysis in the gas         chromatograph. Print outs from the gas chromatograph were         analyzed and the content of each fatty acid was calculated.         6.1. Correlation Between the Presence of One Mutant Brassica         FATB Allele in Brassica Plants and the Fatty Acid Composition of         the Seed Oil of those Brassica Plants

To determine the correlation between the presence of one mutant FATB allele in homozygous and/or heterozygous state in a Brassica plant and the fatty acid composition of the seed oil of the Brassica plant, the fatty acid composition of the seed oil of the Brassica plants identified in Example 5.1, was analyzed as described above.

No significant difference in seed oil fatty acid composition, in particular the level of total saturated fatty acids (i.e. level of C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C20:0, C22:0 and C24:0 fatty acids), palmitic acid (C16:0) and stearic acid (C18:0), was observed for homozygous single mutant plants compared to the seed oil fatty acid composition of wild type plants (see Table 24).

TABLE 24 Level of total saturated fatty acids (i.e. C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C20:0, C22:0, C24:0 fatty acids; ‘sats’), palmitic acid (C16:0) and stearic acid (C18:0) (in weight percentage based on total amount of fatty acids) in seed oil of Brassica plants comprising one mutant FATB allele (i.e. a FATB- AX-FNY or FATB-CX-FNY allele as indicated in Table 22, referred to as ‘aX-fnY’ and ‘cX-fnY’ in column 2; wild-type FATB alleles are referred to as ‘AX’ and ‘CX’) in homozygous state Progeny Total of plant Genotype sats SD C16:0 SD C18:0 SD Wild-type A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.06 0.05 4.39 0.05 1.42 0.02 LOSA002 A1/A1, a2-fn1/a2-fn1, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 6.93 1.93 4.21 1.04 1.50 0.44 LOSA003 A1/A1, a2-fn2/a2-fn2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.04 0.22 4.23 0.18 1.61 0.16 LOSA005 A1/A1, a2-fn3/a2-fn3, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.17 0.08 4.36 0.08 1.73 0.10 LOSA004 A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, c2-fn1/c2-fn1, C3/C3 6.97 0.27 4.04 0.38 1.82 0.20 6.2. Correlation Between the Presence of One to Four Mutant Brassica FATB Alleles in Brassica Plants and the Fatty Acid Composition of the Seed Oil of those Brassica Plants

To determine the correlation between the presence of one to four mutant FATB alleles in homozygous and/or heterozygous state in a Brassica plant and the fatty acid composition of the seed oil of the Brassica plant, the Brassica plants identified in Example 5.2, or progeny thereof comprising the mutant FATB alleles, were crossed with each other and the fatty acid composition of the seed oil of individual progeny Brassica plants was analyzed as described above.

Table 25 and FIG. 8 show that average total saturated fatty acid levels range from 8.24 to 10.52% in wildtype plants, from 6.53 to 12.12% in homozygous single mutant FATB plants, from 6:47 to 10.01% in homozygous double mutant FATB plants, from 5.68 to 8.43% in homozygous triple mutant FATB plants and from 5.72 to 7.7% in homozygous quadruple mutant FATB plants. Table 25 and FIG. 8 further indicate that mutations in specific FATB genes, such as FATB-A2 and FATB-C2, might have a stronger effect on the level of saturated fatty acids than mutations in other FATB genes.

The analysed plants were grown in the greenhouse. Since average total saturated fatty acid levels in seed oil from wild-type plants grown in the field are typically between about 6.5% and 7.5% instead of the 8.24 to 10.52% observed for the greenhouse grown plants, it is expected that total saturated fatty acid levels in seed oil from the mutant plants grown in the field will be lower. The mutant plants are grown in the field and the seed oil fatty acid composition is determined.

TABLE 25 Level of total saturated fatty acids (i.e. C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C20:0, C22:0, C24:0 fatty acids; ‘sats’), palmitic acid (C16:0) and stearic acid (C18:0) (in weight percentage based on total amount of fatty acids) in seed oil of Brassica plants comprising at least one mutant FATB allele (i.e. a FATB-AX-EMSY or FATB- CX-EMSY allele as indicated in Table 23, referred to as ‘aX-emsY’ and ‘cX-emsY’ in column 1 and as ‘aX’ and ‘cX’ in column 2; wild-type FATB alleles are referred to as ‘AX’ and ‘CX’) in homozygous state Progeny of plant Total comprising: Genotype: sats SD C16:0 SD C18:0 SD A1/a1-ems05, A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.39 0.69 5.43 0.19 1.52 0.35 A2/a2-ems05, A1/A1, A2/A2, a3/a3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.98 0.37 4.83 0.19 1.64 0.13 A3/a3-ems01, A1/A1, a2/a2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.58 0.51 4.38 0.22 1.64 0.16 C1/C1, C2/C2, A1/A1, a2/a2, a3/a3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.00 0.32 4.17 0.14 1.43 0.16 C3/C3 a1/a1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.71 0.25 4.88 0.44 1.40 0.13 a1/a1, A2/A2, a3/a3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.88 0.28 4.85 0.22 1.52 0.20 a1/a1, a2/a2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.47 0.39 4.21 0.30 1.66 0.30 a1/a1, a2/a2, a3/a3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.34 0.30 3.88 0.12 1.73 0.12 A1/a1-ems05, A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.97 ND 5.84 ND 1.52 ND A2/a2-ems05, A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, c2/c2, C3/C3 7.85 0.35 4.77 0.53 1.76 0.41 A3/A3, C1/c1- A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, c1/c1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.59 0.21 4.87 0.18 1.27 0.25 ems04, C2/c2- A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, c1/c1, c2/c2, C3/C3 6.92 0.07 4.12 0.20 1.47 0.18 ems03, C3/C3 A1/A1, a2/a2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 6.53 ND 4.05 ND 1.25 ND A1/A1, a2/a2, A3/A3, C1/C1, a2/a2, C3/C3 6.68 0.48 4.02 0.25 1.35 0.11 A1/A1, a2/a2, A3/A3, c1/c1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.76 ND 3.88 ND 1.92 ND A1/A1, a2/a2, A3/A3, c1/c1, c2/c2, C3/C3 5.68 0.30 3.40 0.10 1.09 0.06 a1/a1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.67 0.44 4.79 0.33 1.52 0.11 a1/a1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, c2/c2, C3/C3 7.25 0.13 4.36 0.39 1.52 0.25 a1/a1, A2/A2, A3/A3, c1/c1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.57 0.54 4.90 0.33 1.45 0.18 a1/a1, A2/A2, A3/A3, c1/c1, c2/c2, C3/C3 6.24 ND 3.88 ND 1.31 ND a1/a1, a2/a2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.00 ND 4.51 ND 1.92 ND a1/a1, a2/a2, A3/A3, C1/C1, c2/c2, C3/C3 6.38 0.24 3.94 0.03 1.25 0.10 a1/a1, a2/a2, A3/A3, c1/c1, C2/C2, C3/C3 6.32 0.19 3.74 0.09 1.40 0.04 a1/a1, a2/a2, A3/A3, c1/c1, c2/c2, C3/C3 6.09 0.67 3.62 0.20 1.21 0.30 A1/a1-ems05, A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.28 0.54 4.84 0.26 1.66 0.17 A2/A2, A3/a3- A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, c3/c3 8.12 0.52 4.93 0.38 1.69 0.23 ems01, C1/c1- A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, c1/c1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.03 0.75 4.62 0.12 1.77 0.30 ems04, C2/C2, A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, c1/c1, C2/C2, c3/c3 7.05 ND 4.42 ND 1.38 ND C3/c3-ems02 A1/A1, A2/A2, a3/a3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.23 ND 4.41 ND 1.44 ND A1/A1, A2/A2, a3/a3, C1/C1, C2/C2, c3/c3 7.74 ND 4.38 ND 1.71 ND A1/A1, A2/A2, a3/a3, c1/c1, C2/C2, c3/c3 8.08 ND 4.86 ND 1.72 ND a1/a1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.90 0.59 4.71 0.43 1.61 0.11 a1/a1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, c3/c3 7.86 0.41 4.79 0.24 1.67 0.23 a1/a1, A2/A2, A3/A3, c1/c1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.20 0.36 4.35 0.04 1.35 0.06 a1/a1, A2/A2, A3/A3, c1/c1, C2/C2, c3/c3 7.57 0.24 4.58 0.23 1.60 0.06 a1/a1, A2/A2, a3/a3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.93 ND 5.46 ND 1.68 ND a1/a1, A2/A2, a3/a3, C1/C1, C2/C2, c3/c3 7.45 0.17 4.44 0.12 1.57 0.07 a1/a1, A2/A2, a3/a3, c1/c1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.82 ND 4.65 ND 1.56 ND a1/a1, A2/A2, a3/a3, c1/c1, C2/C2, c3/c3 ⁽¹⁾ 7.70 0.53 4.39 0.12 1.81 0.28 A1/a1-ems06, A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.46 0.67 4.74 0.11 1.85 0.29 A2/a2-ems01, A1/A1, A2/A2, a3/a3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.79 0.48 4.62 0.18 1.57 0.17 A3/a3-ems01, A1/A1, a2/a2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.14 0.55 4.45 0.40 1.80 0.12 C1/C1, C2/C2, A1/A1, a2/a2, a3/a3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.01 0.13 4.24 0.10 1.43 0.16 C3/C3 a1/a1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.77 0.93 4.99 0.49 2.02 0.31 a1/a1, A2/A2, a3/a3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.73 0.32 5.44 0.40 1.65 0.54 a1/a1, a2/a2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.64 0.58 4.44 0.54 1.51 0.18 a1/a1, a2/a2, a3/a3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 6.82 0.40 3.93 0.16 1.41 0.11 A1/a1-ems06, A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.51 0.91 5.49 0.73 1.46 0.16 A2/a2-ems01, A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, c2/c2, C3/C3 7.74 1.72 5.05 1.22 1.28 0.06 A3/A3, C1/c1- A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, c1/c1, c2/c2, C3/C3 7.85 0.23 4.70 0.35 1.54 0.35 ems05, C2/c2- A1/A1, a2/a2, A3/A3, C1/C1, c2/c2, C3/C3 6.47 0.77 4.13 0.59 1.14 0.07 ems03, C3/C3 A1/A1, a2/a2, A3/A3, c1/c1, C2/C2, C3/C3 6.98 0.54 4.21 0.21 1.36 0.23 A1/A1, a2/a2, A3/A3, c1/c1, c2/c2, C3/C3 6.83 ND 3.65 ND 1.59 ND a1/a1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, c2/c2, C3/C3 6.94 0.81 4.39 0.34 1.24 0.17 a1/a1, A2/A2, A3/A3, c1/c1, C2/C2, C3/C3 6.70 0.15 4.32 0.18 1.21 0.05 a1/a1, a2/a2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.47 0.93 4.64 0.59 1.33 0.11 a1/a1, a2/a2, A3/A3, C1/C1, c2/c2, C3/C3 6.44 0.73 3.97 0.74 1.15 0.16 a1/a1, a2/a2, A3/A3, c1/c1, C2/C2, C3/C3 6.37 0.47 3.68 0.09 1.25 0.18 a1/a1, a2/a2, A3/A3, c1/c1, c2/c2, C3/C3 ⁽²⁾ 5.72 0.34 3.24 0.04 1.22 0.20 A1/a1-ems06, A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 9.88 1.03 6.03 1.29 1.96 0.39 A2/a2-ems05, A1/A1, A2/A2, a3/a3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.89 0.63 5.06 0.57 2.03 0.33 A3/a3-ems01, A1/A1, a2/a2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.79 0.72 5.17 0.95 1.81 0.36 C1/C1, C2/C2, A1/A1, a2/a2, a3/a3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.70 0.72 5.04 1.17 1.81 0.43 C3/C3 a1/a1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 9.34 0.41 4.93 0.67 2.31 0.30 a1/a1, A2/A2, a3/a3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.78 1.00 5.14 0.98 1.89 0.02 a1/a1, a2/a2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.52 0.60 4.35 0.38 2.24 0.37 a1/a1, a2/a2, a3/a3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.24 1.06 4.59 0.61 1.87 0.46 A1/a1-ems06, A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 10.52 ND 6.91 ND 1.83 ND A2/a2-ems05, A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, c2/c2, C3/C3 10.45 3.52 6.45 2.01 1.84 0.61 A3/A3, C1/c1- A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, c1/c1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.42 0.54 5.45 0.60 1.38 0.10 ems05, C2/c2- A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, c1/c1, c2/c2, C3/C3 7.20 0.40 4.20 0.22 1.42 0.19 ems02, C3/C3 A1/A1, a2/a2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.89 ND 5.50 ND 1.67 ND A1/A1, a2/a2, A3/A3, C1/C1, c2/c2, C3/C3 7.32 0.47 4.26 0.21 1.47 0.11 A1/A1, a2/a2, A3/A3, c1/c1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.31 1.23 4.63 1.00 1.25 0.16 A1/A1, a2/a2, A3/A3, c1/c1, c2/c2, C3/C3 ⁽³⁾ 7.57 0.96 4.42 0.53 1.47 0.22 a1/a1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 12.12 ND 7.04 ND 2.23 ND a1/a1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, c2/c2, C3/C3 8.91 0.95 5.50 0.70 1.65 0.28 a1/a1, A2/A2, A3/A3, c1/c1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.59 0.81 5.41 0.77 1.50 0.20 a1/a1, A2/A2, A3/A3, c1/c1, c2/c2, C3/C3 8.43 1.72 4.71 0.96 1.92 0.23 a1/a1, a2/a2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 10.01 ND 6.32 ND 1.79 ND a1/a1, a2/a2, A3/A3, C1/C1, c2/c2, C3/C3 5.72 ND 3.53 ND 1.03 ND a1/a1, a2/a2, A3/A3, c1/c1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.01 1.14 4.32 0.59 1.27 0.27 a1/a1, a2/a2, A3/A3, c1/c1, c2/c2, C3/C3 6.47 0.54 3.55 0.42 1.39 0.15 A1/A1, A2/A2, A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, C3/C3 8.24 0.62 4.66 0.21 1.66 0.29 A3/A3, C1/c1- A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, C2/C2, c3/c3 7.59 0.95 4.47 0.27 1.64 0.43 ems05, C2/c2- A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, c2/c2, C3/C3 7.46 0.42 4.06 0.01 1.48 0.20 ems02, C3/c3- A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, C1/C1, c2/c2, c3/c3 7.91 0.30 4.12 0.11 2.06 0.12 ems02 A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, c1/c1, C2/C2, C3/C3 7.31 0.49 4.14 0.05 1.48 0.15 A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, c1/c1, C2/C2, c3/c3 7.76 0.33 4.55 0.15 1.67 0.16 A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, c1/c1, c2/c2, C3/C3 6.81 0.23 3.73 0.01 1.39 0.13 A1/A1, A2/A2, A3/A3, c1/c1, c2/c2, c3/c3 6.66 0.48 3.84 0.16 1.44 0.21 ⁽¹⁾ Seeds comprising FATB-A1-EMS05, FATB-A3-EMS01, FATB-C1-EMS04 and FATB-C3-EMS02 (designated 08MBBN000584) have been deposited at the NCIMB Limited (Ferguson Building, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB21 9YA, UK) on Jun. 27, 2008, under accession number NCIMB 41568. ⁽²⁾ Seeds comprising FATB-A1-EMS06, FATB-A2-EMS01, FATB-C1-EMS05 and FATB-C2-EMS03 (designated 08MBBN000572) have been deposited at the NCIMB Limited (Ferguson Building, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB21 9YA, UK) on Jun. 27, 2008, under accession number NCIMB 41567. ⁽³⁾ Seeds comprising FATB-A2-EMS05, FATB-C1-EMS05 and FATB-C2-EMS02 (designated 08MBBN000553) have been deposited at the NCIMB Limited (Ferguson Building, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB21 9YA, UK) on Jun. 27, 2008, under accession number NCIMB 41566. 6.3. Correlation Between the Presence of Five to Six Mutant Brassica FATB Alleles in Homozygous and/or Heterozygous State in Brassica Plants and the Fatty Acid Composition of the Seed Oil of those Brassica Plants

To determine the correlation between the presence of five to six mutant FATB genes in homozygous and/or heterozygous state in a Brassica plant and the fatty acid composition of the seed oil of the Brassica plant, the Brassica plants identified in Example 5.2, or progeny thereof comprising the mutant FATB alleles, are crossed with each other and the fatty acid composition of the seed oil of the progeny Brassica plants is analyzed as described above.

Example 7 Transfer of Mutant FATB Genes into (Elite) Brassica Lines

The mutant FATB genes are transferred into (elite) Brassica breeding lines by the following method:

A plant containing a mutant FATB gene (donor plant), is crossed with an (elite) Brassica line (elite parent/recurrent parent) or variety lacking the mutant FATB gene. The following introgression scheme is used (the mutant FATB gene is abbreviated to fatB, while the wild type is depicted as FATB):

Initial cross: fatB/fatB (donor plant)×FATB/FATB (elite parent)

F1 plant: FATB/fatB

BC1 cross: FATB/fatB×FATB/FATB (recurrent parent)

BC1 plants: 50% FATB/fatB and 50% FATB/FATB

The 50% FATB/fatB are selected using e.g. AFLP or PCR markers for the mutant FATB allele (fatB).

BC2 cross: FATB/fatB (BC1 plant)×FATB/FATB (recurrent parent)

BC2 plants: 50% FATB/fatB and 50% FATB/FATB

The 50% FATB/fatB are selected using e.g. AFLP or PCR markers for the mutant FATB allele (fatB).

Backcrossing is repeated until BC3 to BC6

BC6 plants: 50% FATB/fatB and 50% FATB/FATB

The 50% FATB/fatB are selected using e.g. AFLP or PCR markers for the mutant FATB allele (fatB).

BC6 S1 cross: FATB/fatB×FATB/fatB

BC6 S1 plants: 25% FATB/FATB and 50% FATB/fatB and 25% fatB/fatB

Plants containing fatB are selected using e.g. AFLP or PCR markers for the mutant FATB allele (fatB).

Individual BC6 S1 plants that are homozygous for the mutant FATB allele (fatB/fatB) are selected using, e.g. AFLP or PCR markers for the mutant and the wild-type allele.

These plants are then used for seed production.

To select for plants comprising a deletion of a FATB allele, hybridization assays or PCR assays such as those described in Example 4.1. can be used.

To select for plants comprising a point mutation in a FATB allele, direct sequencing by standard sequencing techniques known in the art, such as those described in Example 4.2., can be used. Alternatively, PCR assays can be developed to discriminate plants comprising a specific point mutation in a FATB allele from plants not comprising that specific point mutation. The following discriminating PCR assays were thus developed to detect the presence or absence and the zygosity status of the mutant alleles identified in Example 4.2. (see Table 23):

-   -   Template DNA:         -   Genomic DNA isolated from leaf material of homozygous or             heterozygous mutant Brassica plants (comprising a mutant             FATB allele, called hereinafter “FATB-Xx-EMSXX”).         -   Wild type DNA control: Genomic DNA isolated from leaf             material of wild type Brassica plants (comprising the wild             type equivalent of the mutant FATB allele, called             hereinafter “FATB-Xx-WT”).         -   Positive DNA control: Genomic DNA isolated from leaf             material of homozygous mutant Brassica plants known to             comprise FATB-Xx-EMSXX.     -   Primers and length of the fragment amplified from the mutant and         corresponding wild-type target FATB gene are indicated in         Table 26. Each primer set consists of one primer specific for         the mutant and the wild type target gene (e.g. primer LOSA104R5         is specific for FATB-A1-EMS06 and FATB-A1-WT) and one primer         specific for the nucleotide difference (e.g. primer LOSA105MF1         is specific for the FATB-A1-EMS06 and primer LOSA105WF1 is         specific for FATB-A1-WT). Usually, the last nucleotide of the         latter primer matches with the nucleotide difference (underlined         nucleotide in Table 26), but one (or more) additional target         specific nucleotide(s) may be added to improve the annealing         between the primer and its target sequence (see e.g. bold         nucleotide in primer LOSA112MR2, which is specific for the         FATB-A2-EMS05 allele, as compared to primer LOSA112WR2, which is         specific for the FATB-A2-WT allele).     -   PCR mix: 2.5 μl 10×PCR buffer (15 mM MgCl2), 0.25 μl dNTP's (20         mM), 1 μl forward primer (10 μM), 1 μl reverse primer (10 μM),         0.25 μl Taq-polymerase (5 U/μl), 19.5 μl Milli-Q H₂O, 0.5 μA DNA         (20-50 ng/μl)=Total volume of 25 μl;     -   Thermocycling profile: 4 min at 95° C.; 30× [1 min at 95° C.         (denaturation) and 1 min at annealing temperature specified in         Table 26 and 2 min at 72° C. (elongation)]; 5 min at 72° C.;         cool down to 4° C. The optimal annealing temperature was         determined by temperature gradient PCR wherein the annealing         temperature was varied between 57° C. to 70° C. on a MJ Research         thermocycler PTC-200 (Biozym). The optimal annealing temperature         for the wild type FATB specific primers is that temperature at         which a clear PCR fragment of the expected size can be detected         (as described below) for the DNA sample from the wild type         Brassica plant and not for the DNA sample from the mutant         Brassica plant. The optimal annealing temperature for the mutant         FATB specific primers is that temperature at which a clear PCR         fragment of the expected size can be detected (as described         below) for the DNA sample from the mutant Brassica plant and not         for the DNA sample from the wild type Brassica plant.     -   After amplification, 5 μl loading dye (orange dye) was added to         15 μl of the PCR samples and the samples were loaded on a 1.5%         agarose gel.     -   The banding patterns obtained after amplification of genomic DNA         of mutant Brassica plants are evaluated as follows:         -   Data from DNA samples isolated from leaf material of the             mutant Brassica plants within a single PCR run and a single             PCR mix should not be accepted unless:             -   the wild-type DNA control shows the PCR fragment of the                 expected size for the FATB-Xx-WT specific PCR assay and                 no PCR fragment of the expected size for the                 FATB-Xx-EMSXX specific PCR assay             -   the positive DNA control shows the PCR fragment of the                 expected size for the FATB-Xx-EMSXX specific PCR assay                 and no PCR fragment of the expected size for the                 FATB-Xx-WT specific PCR assay         -   Lanes showing no PCR product of the expected size for the             FATB-Xx-WT specific PCR assay and the PCR fragment of the             expected size for the FATB-Xx-EMSXX specific PCR assay,             indicate that the corresponding plant from which the genomic             template DNA was prepared, is a homozygous mutant for             FATB-Xx-EMSXX.         -   Lanes showing the PCR fragment of the expected size for the             FATB-Xx-WT specific PCR assay and the FATB-Xx-EMSXX specific             PCR assay, indicate that the corresponding plant from which             the genomic template DNA was prepared, is a heterozygous             mutant for FATB-Xx-EMSXX.         -   Lanes showing the PCR fragment of the expected size for the             FATB-Xx-WT specific PCR assay and no PCR product of the             expected size for the FATB-Xx-EMSXX specific PCR assay,             indicate that the corresponding plant from which the genomic             template DNA was prepared, is a wild type plant.

TABLE 26 Annealing Size PCR Allele No. Primers t° (° C.) fragment (bp) FATB-A1-EMS05 5′ GGCGGCTGAGAAGCAGTGAATA 3′ 57 1087 (LOSA104MF1 - SEQ ID NO: 50) 5′ GGACTGAAGCACACTGTCC 3′ (LOSA104R3 - SEQ ID NO: 52) FATB-A1-WT 5′ GGCGGCTGAGAAGCAGTGGATG 3′ 71.8 1087 (LOSA104WF1 - SEQ ID NO: 51) 5′ GGACTGAAGCACACTGTCC 3′ (LOSA104R3 - SEQ ID NO: 52) FATB-A1-EMS06 5′ CAGTGGATGATGCTIGACTGA 3′ 67 365 (LOSA105MF1 - SEQ ID NO: 53) 5′ GCATACGAGTAACAACCCAA 3′ (LOSA104R5 - SEQ ID NO: 55) FATB-A1-WT 5′ CAGTGGATGATGCTTGACTGG 3′ 68.9 365 (LOSA105WF1 - SEQ ID NO: 54) 5′ GCATACGAGTAACAACCCAA 3′ (LOSA104R5 - SEQ ID NO: 55) FATB-A2-EMS01 5′ GAGTTGGGTCCACTAATTTTG 3′ 67 346 (LOSA108F1 - SEQ ID NO: 58/59) 5′ CGGAACACAAGACCATCCTA 3′ (LOSA108MR1′ - SEQ ID NO: 60) FATB-A2-WT 5′ GAGTTGGGTCCACTAATTTTG 3′ 67 346 (LOSA108F1 - SEQ ID NO: 58/59) 5′ CGGAACACAAGACCATCCTG 3′ (LOSA108WR1′ - SEQ ID NO: 61) FATB-A2-EMS05 5′ GAGTTGGGTCCACTAATTTTG 3′ 67 222 (LOSA108F1 - SEQ ID NO: 58/59) 5′ AGCAGCAAGCAGCATACTT C 3′ (LOSA112MR2 - SEQ ID NO: 56) FATB-A2-WT 5′ GAGTTGGGTCCACTAATTTTG 3′ 67 222 (LOSA108F1 - SEQ ID NO: 58/59) 5′ TAGCAGCAAGCAGCATACTC 3′ (LOSA112WR1 - SEQ ID NO: 57) FATB-A3-EMS01 5′ CAATGGCAAAACCAACAAAGC 3′ 60 805 (LOSA114F1 - SEQ ID NO: 64) 5′ TATTTATCAACTACAACCTA 3′ (LOSA114MR1 - SEQ ID NO: 62) FATB-A3-WT 5′ CAATGGCAAAACCAACAAAGC 3′ 63 805 (LOSA114F1 - SEQ ID NO: 64) 5′ TATTTATCAACTACAACCTG 3′ (LOSA114WR1 - SEQ ID NO: 63) FATB-C1-EMS04 5′ CGGTTATGAATCATTTACAA 3′ 62.1 1045 (LOSA128MF1 - SEQ ID NO: 68) 5′ GTTCTTCCTCTCACCACTTCG 3′ (LOSA116R1 - SEQ ID NO: 38/67) FATB-C1-WT 5′ CGGTTATGAATCATTTACAG 3′ 57-70 1045 (LOSA128WF1 - SEQ ID NO: 69) 5′ GTTCTTCCTCTCACCACTTCG 3′ (LOSA116R1 - SEQ ID NO: 38/67) FATB-C1-EMS05 5′ GTTAAGAAGAACTTGATATGA 3′ 60 876 (LOSA129MF1 - SEQ ID NO: 65) 5′ GTTCTTCCTCTCACCACTTCG 3′ (LOSA116R1 - SEQ ID NO: 67) FATB-C1-WT 5′ GTTAAGAAGAACTTGATATGG 3′ 64.7 876 (LOSA129WF1 - SEQ ID NO: 66) 5′ GTTCTTCCTCTCACCACTTCG 3′ (LOSA116R1 - SEQ ID NO: 67) FATB-C2-EMS02 5′ GTCTGACAACGAGACTTCGT 3′ 69.7 818 (LOSA119MF1 - SEQ ID NO: 70) 5′ CAGTATTGCAATCCCGAACC 3′ (LOSAC2R3 - SEQ ID NO: 72) FATB-C2-WT 5′ GTCTGACAACGAGACTTCGC 3′ 57-70 818 (LOSA119WF1 - SEQ ID NO: 71) 5′ CAGTATTGCAATCCCGAACC 3′ (LOSAC2R3 - SEQ ID NO: 72) FATB-C2-EMS03 5′ TGGCGGCTGAGAAACAGTGA 3′ 70 1056 (LOSA120MF1 - SEQ ID NO: 73) 5′ AGGGTACTTACAGTGAGACCC 3′ (LOSAC2R1 - SEQ ID NO: 75) FATB-C2-WT 5′ TGGCGGCTGAGAAACAGTGG 3′ 71.1 1056 (LOSA120WF1 - SEQ ID NO: 74) 5′ AGGGTACTTACAGTGAGACCC 3′ (LOSAC2R1 - SEQ ID NO: 75) FATB-C3-EMS02 5′ CAGTCATGAACCACTTACAGA 3′ 67 555 (LOSA125MF2 - SEQ ID NO: 76) 5′ CAACCTGCATACGAGTAACG 3′ (LOSA124R2 - SEQ ID NO: 78) FATB-C3-WT 5′ CAGTCATGAACCACTTACAGG 3′ 69.7 555 (LOSA125WF2 - SEQ ID NO: 77) 5′ CAACCTGCATACGAGTAACG 3′ (LOSA124R2 - SEQ ID NO: 78) *ho = homozygous, he = heterozygous

Alternatively, Invader™ technology (Third Wave Agbio) can be used to discriminate plants comprising a specific point mutation in a FATB allele from plants not comprising that specific point mutation. The following discriminating Invader™ probes can thus be developed to detect the presence or absence and the zygosity status of the mutant alleles identified in Example 4 (see Table 23a and b):

-   -   Probes specific for the mutant (which can be discriminated by         attaching a ‘flap1’ sequence) or corresponding wild-type (which         can be discriminated by attaching a ‘flap2’ sequence) target         FATB gene and “invading” probes which can be used in combination         with them are developed. Generally, each probe set consists of         one probe specific for the mutant or the wild type target gene         of which the first nucleotide after the 5′ flap sequence matches         with the nucleotide difference (underlined nucleotide in         Table 27) (the so-called “primary probe”; e.g. the probe with         SEQ ID NO: 82 is specific for FATB-A1-EMS05) and one probe         specific for the nucleotides upstream of the nucleotide         difference (the so-called “Invader® oligo”; e.g. the probe with         SEQ ID NO: 81 is specific for the nucleotides upstream of the         nucleotide difference between FATB-A1-EMS05 and FATB-A1-WT). The         last nucleotide of the latter primer may match with the         nucleotide difference in the mutant, but other nucleotides may         be used as well for this last nucleotide (as indicated by the         bold nucleotides in Table 27) as long as the primary probe and         the Invader® oligo are still able to form a single base overlap         when hybridized to the target DNA to generate the specific         invasive structure recognized by the Cleavase® enzymes (Third         Wave Agbio). The Invader™ assay procedure and interpretation of         the data are performed as prescribed by the manufacturer (Third         Wave Agbio). Briefly, the nucleotide sequences indicated as         “flap1” and “flap2” represent the sequences of the 5′ “flaps”         which are cleaved from the primary probes in the primary phase         of the Invader™ assay and which are complementary to sequences         in FRET™ cassette 1 and 2, respectively, and not complementary         to the target mutant or wild type sequences. If the primary         probes are cleaved in the primary phase and the flap1-probe         and/or flap2-probe hybridise to FRET™ cassette 1 and 2,         respectively, in the secondary phase, a signal is generated         indicative of the presence in the sample of the mutant or         corresponding wild-type target FATB gene, respectively.     -   Alternatively, probes specific for the mutant target FATB gene         (indicated as “5′ flap1-x” in Table 27) are used in combination         with probes specific for an internal control gene (indicated as         “5′ flap2-x” in Table 27: control gene is indicated as ENDO1).         If the primary probes are cleaved in the primary phase and the         flap 1-probe and/or flap2-probe hybridise to FRET™ cassette 1         and 2, respectively, in the secondary phase, a signal is         generated indicative of the presence in the sample of the mutant         target FATB gene and the endogenous control gene, respectively.         Based on the amount of signal generated from FRET™ cassette 1         relative to the amount of signal generated from FRET™ cassette         2, the zygosity status of the mutant FATB allele can be         determined (homozygous FATB alleles generate about twice as much         signal as heterozygous FATB alleles).

TABLE 27 Allele No. Probes FATB-A1-EMS05 5′ GCGCCTCGGTTTCCAGTCAAGCATCATC 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 81) 5′ flap1-TCACTGCTTCTCAGCC 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 82) FATB-A1-EMS06 5′GATCCATAATCACGTCAGAGCGCCTCGGTTTC3′ (SEQ ID NO: 83) 5′ flap1-TCAGTCAAGCATCATCC 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 84) FATB-A2-EMS01 5′CCTAATGGAAAAATTCTGACGGAACACAAGAC (SEQ ID NO: 85) CATCCTT 3′ 5′ flap1-AAACAATTCTCCCTAAACCA 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 86) FATB-A2-EMS05 5′TGCCAAGAAAATGGTAGTTATAGCAGCAAGCA (SEQ ID NO: 87) GCATACTC 3′ 5′ flap1-TCAGTCAGGCAGCT 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 88) FATB-A3-EMS01 5′AAGAGAGCTTACCAAGTAGGATATTTATCAACT (SEQ ID NO: 89) ACAACCTT 3′ 5′ flap1-ACATACGAGTAACAACCC 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 90) FATB-C1-EMS04 5′CCAGTAACAACAAGCGACTACAATCATAATCA (SEQ ID NO: 91) TAATCAGTACC 3′ 5′ flap1-TTGTAAATGATTCATAACCGTTT 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 92) FATB-C1-EMS05 5′TAGGATATTTATCAACGACAACCTGCATACGAG (SEQ ID NO: 93) TAACAACC 3′ 5′ flap1-TCATATCAAGTTCTTCTTAACCA 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 94) FATB-C2-EMS02 5′CCTGGTTCTGTAGAGATATCAAAGTCTGACAAC (SEQ ID NO: 95) GAGACTTCGC 3′ 5′ flap1-TAGCCCGCACCC 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 96) FATB-C2-EMS03 5′ AGAACGCCTGGGTTTCCAGTCAAGCATCATC 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 97) 5′ flap1-TCACTGTTTCTCAGCC 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 98) FATB-C3-EMS02 5′CGCTCTGCGTCTATAGAAACAGTCATGAACCAC (SEQ ID NO: 99) TTACAGT 3′ 5′ flap1-ATATATTACAATCACACTCGATTG 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 100) ENDO1 5′ TGAGGAGCGTGGTGGTCCCACACCTT 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 101) 5′ flap2-CGATGCGACCAGC 3′ (SEQ ID NO: 102) 

The invention claimed is:
 1. An induced mutant FATB allele comprising (a) a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9, or SEQ ID NO: 11; or (b) a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9, or SEQ ID NO: 11 when aligned without introns 1 to 4; wherein said induced mutant FATB allele comprises a mutated DNA region including one or more inserted, deleted, or substituted nucleotides compared to a corresponding wild-type DNA, and wherein said mutant FATB allele does not encode a functional FATB protein.
 2. A mutant allele of a gene encoding a functional FATB protein, wherein the functional FATB gene comprises: (a) a nucleic acid molecule (i) comprising at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9, or SEQ ID NO: 11; and (ii) encoding an amino acid sequence comprising at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 8 SEQ ID NO: 10, or SEQ ID NO: 12, or (b) a nucleic acid molecule (i) comprising at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9, or SEQ ID NO: 11 when aligned without introns 1 to 4; and (ii) encoding an amino acid sequence comprising at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID No: 8, SEQ ID NO: 10, or SEQ ID NO: 12, wherein said mutant FATB allele comprises a mutated DNA region including one or more inserted, deleted, or substituted nucleotides compared to a corresponding wild-type DNA region in the functional FATB gene, and wherein said mutant FATB allele does not encode a functional FATB protein, wherein said mutant FATB allele is FATB-A1-FN1, FATB-A2-FN1, FATB-A2-FN 2, FATB-A2-FN3, FATB-C2-FN1, FATB-A1-EMS01, FATB-A1-EMS02, FATB-A1-EMS03, FATB-A1-EMS05, FATB-A1-EMS 06, FATB-A2-EMS01, FATB-A2-EMS04, FATB-A2-EMS05, FATB-A3-EMS01, FATB-C1-EMS05, FATB-C2-EMS02, FATB-C2-EMS03, FATB-C2-EMS05, FATB-C2-EMS06, FATB-A1-EMS07, FATB-A1-EMS09, FATB-A2-EMS02, FATB-A2-EMS03, FATB-C1-EMS 04, FATB-C2-EMS04, or FATB-C3-EMS02.
 3. A Brassica napus plant, or cell, part, seed or progeny thereof, comprising at least three FATE alleles in its genome selected from FATB-A1-EMS05, FATB-A1-EMS06, FATB-A2-EMS01, FATB-A2-EMS05, FATB-A3-EMS01, FATB-C1-EMS04, FATB-C1-EMS05, FATB-C2-EMS02, FATB-C2-EMS03 or FATB-C3-EMS02, obtainable by propagation of and/or breeding with a Brassica plant grown from a seed (a) comprising FATB-A1-EMS05, FATB-A3-EMS01, FATB-C1-EMS04 and FATB-C3-EMS02 having been deposited at the NCIMB Limited on Jun. 27, 2008, under accession number NCIMB 41568, (b) comprising FATB-A1-EMS06, FATB-A2-EMS01, FATB-C1-EMS05 and FATB-C2-EMS03 having been deposited at the NCIMB Limited on Jun. 27, 2008, under accession number NCIMB 41567, or (c) comprising FATB-A2-EMS05, FATB-C1-EMS05 and FATB-C2-EMS02 having been deposited at the NCIMB Limited on Jun. 27, 2008, under accession number NCIMB
 41566. 4. A Brassica napus, Brassica juncea or Brassica carinata plant, or cell, part, seed or progeny thereof, wherein said plant, or cell, part, seed or progeny thereof comprises at least three induced mutant FATB alleles in its genome, said at least three mutant alleles being an induced mutant allele comprising: (a) a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9, or SEQ ID NO: 11; or (b) a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9, or SEQ ID NO: 11 when aligned without introns 1 to 4; wherein said at least three induced mutant FATB alleles comprise a mutated DNA region including one or more inserted, deleted, or substituted nucleotides compared to a corresponding wild-type DNA, and wherein said at least three mutant FATB alleles do not encode a functional FATB protein, and whereby the at least three mutant FATB alleles are alleles of at least three different FATB genes.
 5. The plant of claim 4, wherein the level of saturated fatty acids in the seed oil is less than 7 wt % based on the total amount of fatty acids in the seed oil.
 6. The plant of claim 5, wherein the level of saturated fatty acids, especially palmitic and/or stearic acid, in the seed oil is less than 3.5 wt % based on the total amount of fatty acids in the seed oil.
 7. The plant of claim 4, wherein said plant is B. napus.
 8. The induced mutant FATB allele of claim 1, wherein the induced mutant FATB allele is an allele of a wild-type gene that encodes an amino acid sequence comprising at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 10, or SEQ ID NO:
 12. 9. The induced mutant FATB allele of claim 1, wherein the induced mutant FATB allele comprises a gene that encodes a truncated FATB protein comprising an N-terminal part of the corresponding wild-type FATB protein of less than 229 amino acids lacking the second conserved Methionine.
 10. The plant of claim 4, wherein the induced mutant FATB allele is an allele of a wild-type gene that encodes an amino acid sequence comprising at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 8, SEQ ID NO: 10, or SEQ ID NO:
 12. 11. The plant of claim 4, wherein the induced mutant FATB allele comprises a gene that encodes a truncated FATB protein comprising an N-terminal part of the corresponding wild-type FATB protein of less than 229 amino acids and lacking the second conserved Methionine.
 12. The induced mutant FATB allele of claim 1, wherein the mutant FATB allele comprises: (a) a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 7 or SEQ ID NO: 9, or (b) a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 7, or SEQ ID NO: 9 when aligned without introns 1 to
 4. 13. The induced mutant FATB allele of claim 1, wherein the mutant FATB allele comprises: (a) a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least 98% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9, or SEQ ID NO: 11; or (b) a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least 98% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9, or SEQ ID NO: 11 when aligned without introns 1 to
 4. 14. The plant of claim 4, wherein said at least three mutant alleles comprise: (a) a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 7 or SEQ ID NO: 9, or (b) a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least 90% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 7, or SEQ ID NO: 9 when aligned without introns 1 to
 4. 15. The plant of claim 4, which is Brassica napus, and wherein said at least three mutant alleles comprise: (a) a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least 98% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9, or SEQ ID NO: 11; or (b) a nucleic acid molecule comprising at least 98% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 9, or SEQ ID NO: 11 when aligned without introns 1 to
 4. 